Man and the Biosphere Programme
The origin of Biosphere Reserves goes
back to the "Biosphere Conference" organized by UNESCO in 1968. This
was the first intergovernmental conference examining how to reconcile the conservation
and use of natural resources, thereby foreshadowing the present-day notion of
sustainable development. This Conference resulted in the launching of the
UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB) Programme in 1970.
The Man
and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), proposes an interdisciplinary research
agenda and capacity building aiming to improve the relationship of people with
their environment globally. It notably targets the ecological, social and
economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and the reduction of this loss. It
uses its World Network of Biosphere Reserves as vehicles for knowledge-sharing,
research and monitoring, education and training, and participatory
decision-making.
Establishing this
coordinated World Network was one of the first MAB projects. The Network was
consisted of sites representing the main ecosystems of the planet in which
genetic resources would be protected, and where research on ecosystems as well
as monitoring and training work could be carried out. These sites were named as
"Biosphere Reserves", in reference to the MAB programme itself.
Each
biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil 3 basic functions, which are
complementary and mutually reinforcing:
- a conservation function - to
contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and
genetic variation;
- a development function - to foster
economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically
sustainable;
- a logistic function - to provide
support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange
related to local, national and global issues of conservation and
development.
The MAB governing body, the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere
Programme, usually referred to as
the MAB Council or ICC, consists of 34 Member States elected by UNESCO's
biennial General Conference. In between meetings, the authority of the ICC is
delegated to its Bureau, whose members are nominated from each of UNESCO's
geopolitical regions.
The
Links
The official MAB website from UNESCO.
The description of the Dutch biosphere reserve, the Waddensea Area.
Stamp catalogue
Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics
last
revised: