International Biosphere Reserves
What do natural areas as diverse as Big Bend National Park in Texas, Everglades National Park in Florida, and Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska all have in common? Apart from all being units of the National Park System, they are part of a select group of internationally recognized sites that have been designated International Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere Reserves are designed to meet one of the most difficult challenges the world is facing as it move towards the 21st century: How to maintain and conserve the diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms which make up our living "biosphere" while at the same time meet the material needs of an increasing population. In other words, how to reconcile conservation of biological resources with their sustainable use.
In 1968, the UNESCO Conference on the Conservation and Rational Use of the Biosphere took a look at this issue, and it gave rise to the launching of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme within UNESCO. The Biosphere Reserve concept was a key element for achieving MAB's objective to strike a balance between the apparently conflicting goals of conserving biodiversity, promoting economic and social development and maintaining associated cultural values.
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Its Purpose
Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfill three basic functions, including: 1) conservation of important biological resources; 2) development of environmentally sound economic growth; and 3) support for research, monitoring, education, and information exchange related to conservation issues. To carry out these activities, they are organized into three interrelated zones, known as the core area, the buffer zone and the transition area.
The core area is legally protected from activity which would adversely affect its natural features. This area could be used for such activities as hiking, diving, bird watching, educational field trips, scientific research and monitoring of plant and animal life. The buffer zone is an "adjacent managed use area" that might be used for lumbering, grazing, and fishing activities, settlements, recreational facilities etc., managed to benefit local residents and the local environment. The transition area is the larger region in which local residents, cultural groups, economic interests, scientists, or managing agencies work together to link conservation and economic development guided by the cultural values of the local community.
The Nomination Process
Biosphere Reserves are nominated by national governments and must meet a minimal set of criteria and adhere to a minimal set of conditions before being admitted into the World Network. The general process is as follows:
1. A federal, state, or local agency, organization, or individual
completes the nomination form. Owners and managers of the protected
lands and local government leaders write letters of support.
2. The completed nomination form and letters of support sent to
the national agency for review and recommendation. In the United
States, this agency is the U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program
(U.S. MAB).
3. The national agency sends the recommended nomination to the
UNESCO office in Paris, where the MAB program office there makes
the final approval and awards the biosphere reserve designation.
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Biosphere Reserves Today
Individual Biosphere Reserves remain under the jurisdiction of the countries in which they are situated. Some countries have enacted legislation specifically to establish Biosphere Reserves, while in other countries they simultaneously include areas protected under other systems (such as national parks or nature reserves) and other internationally recognized sites (such as World Heritage sites). There are presently 393 biosphere reserves in 94 countries. Of these, 47 units are in the United States, of which 29 are managed by the National Park Service.
The 29 Biosphere Reserves that are units of the National Park Service include:
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Denali National Park and Preserve
Everglades National Park (with Fort Jefferson NM)
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument