The areas all have multiple functions. The zoning includes a core area, a buffer zone and an outer transition area. The outer boundary is always flexible.
There are (in October 2004) 459 Biosphere Reserves in 97 countries.
For a full list of all Biosphere Reserves in the world, see:
In general, a biospherereserve must be large enough to conserve most of the biodiversity found in the core areas and buffer zones, and provide sufficient scope to carry out the other functions of a biospherereserve.
Biospherereserve groups should be recognized as the non-partisan players who maintain the broader, long-term "big picture" overview of the whole area.
Biospherereserves are organized into three interrelated zones or areas: the core area, the buffer area and an area of cooperation (also known as a transition zone).
A biospherereserve is a unique concept which includes one or more protected areas and surrounding lands that are managed to combine both conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
'BiosphereReserve' is an international designation made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on the basis of nominations submitted by countries participating in the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB).
BiosphereReserves act as a keystone of MAB by providing a global network of sites for cooperative research toward this end.
Feeds |
Contact