MAN & THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME

UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) works to improve the relationship between people and the environment. The MAB Programme was inspired by UNESCO's 1968 Conference on the Conservation and Rational Use of the Biosphere. In 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro brought these issues to the forefront of the global agenda. As a programme set up by UNESCO, the aim of MAB is to help implement Agenda 21 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. With specific interest on protected areas, objectives include promoting scientific research, gathering information and linking with traditional knowledge.

The International Conference on Biosphere Reserves, held on 20-25 March 1995 in Seville, Spain, drew up the Seville Strategy for Biosphere Reserves. The International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme gave support to the Seville Strategy in June 1995. Objective I.2 of this Strategy was the integration of Biosphere Reserves into conservation planning. This encouraged countries to establish transboundary Biosphere Reserves as a means of promoting the conservation of organisms, ecosystems, and genetic resources that cross national boundaries. Other specific recommendations from the Strategy that link with CBD implementation are as follows:

>> Biodiversity planning involving the integration of Biosphere Reserves in strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use;

>> Funding strategies that include projects to strengthen and develop Biosphere Reserves in programmes to be initiated and funded under the CBD and other multilateral conventions;

>> Protected areas linking Biosphere Reserves with each other as well as other protected areas;

>> In situ conservation such as the use of Biosphere Reserves for the conservation of genetic resources.

As of May 2002, 94 countries have established 408 Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. The aim of MAB's Biosphere Reserves was originally to maintain a balance between biodiversity conservation, support for development, and the preservation of cultural values. Biosphere Reserves were conceived as areas where this objective could be tested, refined and implemented.

Within the MAB Programme, countries nominate Biosphere Reserves that serve to constitute a World Network. Nominated sites are required to meet a minimal set of criteria and adhere to a set of conditions before being admitted into the Network.

Biosphere Reserves perform three functions:

>> Conservation of species and genetic resources;

>> Economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;

>> Provision of support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange.

Individual countries continue to have sovereign jurisdiction over their respective Biosphere Reserves. Some countries have enacted legislation specifically to establish Biosphere Reserves. However, in many cases, areas already protected under national law are designated as reserves consisting of a core area, a buffer zone and a transition area.

Biosphere Reserves have very different geographical, economic and cultural contexts. However, they do have a common interest in concrete solutions to the conservation of biodiversity with the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of local people. In support of this goal, The World Network fosters exchanges between Biosphere Reserves and facilitates cooperative activities, including scientific research and monitoring, environmental education and specialist training. Regional networks and thematic networks are continually being formed in support of the World Network. Regional networks differ in size, structure and operations. However, they do all maintain planned meetings, training courses, publications and web sites of networks for information exchange and capacity building. The regional Biosphere Reserve networks provide a framework for activities within similar ecological and cultural systems. They are tailor-made for facilitating exchanges and pooling resources, and can address the application of the ecosystem approach at the local level.

Establishing a Biosphere Reserve involves establishing supportive mechanisms to plan and coordinate activities that will take place within the Reserve. This supports human development as management links the local community to the greater national and international arena. As a result, management needs to be adequately adaptive with a strong support structure that allows local communities a stronger voice in response to external political, economic and social pressures. National MAB Committees are responsible for preparing Biosphere Reserve nominations and for involving the appropriate government agencies, institutions and local authorities.

Projects on Biosphere Reserves give emphasis to UNESCO’s mandate in education, science and culture, and to the MAB approach, promoting the integration of the natural and the social sciences. Particular attention is paid to tailoring scientific research to resolve problems of natural resource use; fostering dialogue among different stakeholders; conflict resolution; and biodiversity education and raising awareness. Preference is given to relatively small-scale projects with a long-term, holistic view, and the creation of linkages between local and national capacities for land and water management and sustainable development.

 

Online resources:

www.unesco.org/mab/wnbr.htm
Comprehensive information on the MAB Programme.

www.ice.ucdavis.edu/mab
Database of vascular plant and vertebrate animal occurrences in the world’s Biosphere Reserves and other protected areas.

 

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