What is a Biosphere Region?

What is a Biosphere Region?

In 1971, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) to promote the harmonious coexistence of people and nature in a time where civilization and nature appeared to be at odds.

Biosphere Reserves (known as Biosphere Regions in the U.S.) were seen as one solution to the seemingly overwhelming environmental pressures confronting the world. The reserves represent samples of the world’s various ecosystems such as a tropical forest, prairie grassland, coral reef, river system, or desert. Areas selected possess exceptional natural and cultural resources and biodiversity of species.

These are special places where humans are viewed as part of a wider living community and people and organizations cooperate to improve human livelihoods, sustain the benefits we receive from nature and provide local solutions to global challenges. Sustainable economic development in Biosphere Regions serves as the key ingredient to striking a balance between meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Biosphere Regions enable both people and nature to thrive together and place an emphasize on biological and cultural diversity and a multi-stakeholder approach to management.

Designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Region is voluntary and doesn’t restrict the freedoms or actions of local communities, but instead attracts increased visitor attention – boosting local economies and creating new opportunities for environmental education and sustainable development. Individual Biosphere Reserves remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the countries in which they are situated.

 

The US Biosphere Network (USBN)

28 internationally recognized places across the continental United States, the US Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawai’i called biosphere regions.

 

Organization of Biosphere Regions

Biosphere Regions are connected via global, regional and national networks designed to connect people around the world with a shared vision and unity of purpose. These networks facilitate the sharing of best practices, knowledge, and experiences and synthesize a region’s collective talents to surpass the capacities of each individual entity. Networks can include federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, businesses, industry, agriculture, economic development entities, NGOs, universities, K-12, youth and civic organizations. The World-Wide Network of Biosphere Reserves and U.S. Biosphere Network serve as the perfect foundation to meet global challenges and create sustainable and long-term impacts through collaboration and broad partnership.

Currently, over 727 Biosphere Regions within UNESCO’s World Network - which spans 131 countries - expands the reach of our learning, research, and collaboration to a global scale.

As human activities continue to fundamentally alter the Earth’s systems with profound impacts on our natural resources, ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity, sustainability issues have risen to the center of international debate. The sharing of knowledge, experiences and different approaches to conservation and sustainable development within the network of Biosphere Reserves enables people, communities, and organizations worldwide to collectively move towards a more sustainable future.