UNESCO Adds 23 Reserves to Biosphere Network

UNESCO Adds 23 Reserves to Biosphere Network



2007 September -   The first biosphere reserves set 
aside by El Salvador, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are among 23 new 
reserve sites in 18 countries today accepted by UNESCO into its Man and 
the Biosphere global network. The reserves are not strictly protected 
areas but are intended as vehicles for sharing knowledge, research and 
monitoring, education and training, and participatory decision-making as 
well as conservation. 
Representatives of the International Co-ordinating Council of UNESCO's Man 
and the Biosphere Program made the additions during a three day meeting at 
the agency's headquarters in Paris. The council consists of 34 member 
states elected by UNESCO's biennial general conference. 
Changes to two existing biosphere reserves also have been approved. The 
reserves of Frontenac in Canada and the Great Volzhsko-Laùslu in the 
Russian Federation were extended. 
Meanwhile Germany withdrew the Bayerischer Wald biosphere reserve from the 
network because it no longer meets the UNESCO criteria. The network now 
extends to 529 sites in 105 countries. 
In managing them, emphasis is placed on linkages between biodiversity 
conservation and socio-economic development. Opportunities are developed 
to combine scientific knowledge and governance to reduce biodiversity 
loss; improve livelihoods; and enhance social, economic and cultural 
conditions for environmental sustainability. Biosphere reserves also can 
serve as learning and experimentation sites. 
The 23 new biosphere reserves are: 
Cape Winelands, South Africa includes the world-renowned Cape Winelands 
viticultural landscape and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom with some of 
the most outstanding diversity, density and endemism of plants in the 
world. It constitutes an important part of the planned Fynbos Cluster 
Biosphere Reserve Network. More than 300,000 people live in an array of 
historic towns, hamlets and farmsteads of Cape Dutch architecture. 
Noosa, Australia is considered as a "biodiversity museum" critical to 
maintaining biodiversity representation and quality in southeast 
Queensland. In order to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the 
site and use them in a sustainable way, Noosa communities endeavor to 
manage urban growth in a sustainable manner and develop sustainable 
tourism strategies in the buffer and transition zones. 
Western Nghe An, Vietnam. Due to the mountainous terrain reaching an 
altitude of over 2,000 meters and its remote location, bordering Laos, the 
area has a high level of biodiversity ranging from lowland monsoonal 
evergreen forests to elfin cloud forest. This site could play an important 
role in developing the economy and raising the standard of living of 
ethnic groups such as the Thai, Dan Lai, Kho Mu, O Du, and H'Mong. 
Marawah Biosphere Reserve, United Arab Emirates. This first biosphere 
reserve in the Emirates protects marine and costal ecosystems such as sea 
grass beds, coral reefs and mangroves. The world's second largest 
population of dugongs finds shelter and food here. The area is also of 
significance culturally and archeologically with more than 20 sites dating 
back to the 16th century on its various islands.

Jabal Al Rihane, Lebanon is a green island amidst bare lands of the 
semi-arid Bekaa valley to the east and the dry plains to the south. The 
site, whose name means "mountain of basil," shelters a number of 
eco-zones, peaks and basins, and stands of 500 year old oak trees. 
Manicouagan Uapishka, Canada, lies between the Saint Laurent River in the 
South and the Manicouagan reservoir in the north. It is visible from outer 
space from where it has the shape of an eye. Numerous rivers cross the 
forests where mining of nickel, copper, silver, gold and graphite takes 
place. An in-depth participatory process led to a shared vision for 
sustainable development for the region. The site is also used as a 
platform for integrating activities across UNESCO's intergovernmental 
scientific programs. Baie-Comeau is the biggest city in the site with 
22,613 inhabitants. 
Fundy, Canada, is located on the New Brunswick side of the uppermost part 
of the bay. Aboriginal artifacts date back more than 6,000 years and some 
of the earliest colonial settlements in North America were established 
here. Towering cliffs fall to broad sweeping salt marshes at the head of 
the bay. The Fundy Biosphere Regional Network, a stakeholder group, has 
launched innovative practices for sustainable development. 
Sierra de Alamos - Río Cuchujaqui, Mexico, encompasses fragile desert 
ecosystems of the Western Sierra Madres and the northwestern coastal 
plains, and includes low tropical deciduous forests and dense evergreen 
forests. The mountain range parallels the Pacific Ocean, and has many deep 
ravines. The Cuchujaqui River is inhabited by rare pumas, jaguars and 
ocelots. About 400 people live within the biosphere reserve. 
Apaneca-Llamatepec, El Salvador. The Santa Ana, or Llamatepec, volcano is 
the largest volcano in El Salvador, 2,381 meters above sea level, and is 
the nucleus for neighboring "parasitic" volcanoes. This is a key ecosystem 
for filtering water that drains into aquifers, benefiting the entire 
country. The reserve shows potential to develop sustainable shade-grown 
coffee production enterprises through innovative participatory practices. 
Xiriualtique Jiquitizco, El Salvador, translates to "place in the bay of 
stars." It is the largest extension of mangroves in El Salvador and 
includes some of the largest forest areas in the country. The people 
living in the reserve are working towards sustainable production, 
management of protected areas, risk management, and recovery of 
traditional ecological knowledge. Sustainable development in the area is 
based on tourism and the harvest of mangroves, coconuts, sugarcane, fish, 
and livestock. 

Andino Norpatagonica, Argentina includes mountain ecosystems, temperate 
forests, pastures, and the sub Andean steppe. The area is the easternmost 
example of Argentine/Chilean temperate rainforests and is recognized by 
the World Resources Institute and WWF as a Global 200 Site. It is listed 
as a biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International. The neighboring 
populations benefit from adventure tourism activities such as sport 
fishing, skiing, and trekking. 
Pereyra Iraola, Argentina, constitutes the last remaining natural habitats 
along the Rio de la Plata. It is the highest biodiversity and the largest 
green area in the Buenos Aires Province, home to 12 million people. The 
watersheds included in the Biosphere Reserve recharge the overexploited 
subterranean aquifers and provide clean drinking water to the densely 
populated areas surrounding the Reserve. The Reserve also protects Buenos 
Aires' cultural heritage such as traditional dances and handicrafts in 
leather and wool. 
Bosques Templados Lluviosos de los Andes Australes, Chile includes 
critical high mountain ecosystems and water resources. The coastal 
temperate rainforests of Chile and Argentina represent 33 percent of this 
type of ecosystem in the world. The area is recognized by the World 
Resources Institute and WWF as a Global 200 Site, and as a hotspot by 
Conservation International. Local populations are engaged in ecotourism 
initiatives like trekking. The Biosphere Reserve is adjacent to 
Argentina's Andino Norpatagonica Biosphere Reserve and there is potential 
for a transboundary biosphere reserve between the two countries. 
Agua y Paz, Costa Rica. Located in the San Juan River watershed, near the 
Caribbean Sea and the border with Nicaragua, its humid tropical lowland 
forests are inhabited by rare species like jaguar and manatee. Lakes and 
navigable rivers, wetlands and rafia palm bogs include the Caño Negro 
wetland, which is considered the nucleus of the Reserve and is also a 
Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. This 
reserve assures ecological continuity between Costa Rica's Cordillera 
Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve and Nicaragua's Indio Maiz Biosphere 
Reserve. 
Podocarpus-El Condor, Ecuador along Ecuador's border with Peru conserves 
tropical forest ecosystems and water resources where the Amazon, the high 
Andes, and the Paramo converge. Ranging from 700 to 3,790 metres above sea 
level the reserve encompasses 48 distinct ecosystems and provides critical 
habitat for many endemic species. Because of recent scientific 
discoveries, it is one of the highest priority areas for scientific 
research in the Neotropics. The Podocarpus tree, for which the area is 
named, is native to the region's cloud forests. The El Condor mountain 
range shelters multiculturalism, ecological and mineral diversity. 
And Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia. Spread over a seascape more 
than half the size of the United States, the 607 islands and surrounding 
reefs of the Federated States of Micronesia feature mangroves, more than 
1,000 species of fish, 350 species of coral, and thousands of species of 
sponges. And Atoll is one of the last relatively intact seabird rookeries 
in the region and provides crucial nesting grounds for rare sea turtles. 
It has the only healthy population of giant clams and has aggregations of 
grey reef sharks and barracuda. And Atoll has great potential for 
ecotourism with diving and snorkelling. Sustainable development 
alternatives include the production of black peals, giant clams, sponges, 
and soft coral. Overfishing and hunting are the major threats to the area. 

Al-Reem, Qatar's first biosphere reserve, protects terrestrial and marine 
areas and wildlife of great value. Elevated limestone formations along the 
west coast cover the Dukhan oil field. Communities residing within the 
site have managed to preserve biological, cultural and religious aspects 
from the past while using modern technology to maintain their pastoral and 
agricultural traditions. Breeding centers are reintroducing native 
animals, such as the Arabian oryx and desert gazelle, alongside modern oil 
and gas pumping stations. 
Mongol Daguur, Mongolia near the borders of Russia and Chinese-Mongolia is 
temperate grassland ecosystem with plains, rolling hills and wetlands. It 
is a nesting and breeding ground for migratory birds along the Northeast 
Siberia - South Pacific migration corridor.

Chebaling, China, in the south of the country, contains sub-tropical 
evergreen broad-leaved forests. It is home to the endangered Chinese 
tiger, Panthera tigris, and the recently rediscovered white-eared night 
heron, Gorsachius magnificus. Ecotourism is being developed. 
Xingkai Lake, China includes the Chinese part of the largest freshwater 
lake in Eastern Asia. This mosaic of inland wetland ecosystems with lakes, 
swamps, plains, and hills supports a high diversity of fish and bird 
species. The local population relies on fishing, paper and rice 
production, Xingkaihu is one of China's green brands. Tourism is growing 
here. 
Corvo Island, Portugal, the smallest of the Azorean Islands at the 
northwest of the archipelago is the emerged part of a volcanic cone, 
rising 718 metres above the sea. Centuries of agriculture and cattle 
breeding have formed a landscape of high cultural significance. The 
introduction of novel management strategies and the local population's 
willingness to participate in experimental community resource management 
make Corvo Island an exceptional place for research. The surrounding 
marine area is included in the reserve. 
Graciosa Island, Portugal, part of the Azores archipelago is exceptionally 
geo-diverse; with slag and spatter cones, surtseyan cones, basaltic lava 
flows, sub-volcanic forms, volcanic depressions, caves and gas domes. The 
biosphere reserve includes marine and coastal habitats and evergreen 
forests with numerous species of endemic birds, bats, molluscs, and 
arthropods. Agriculture, wine production, and cattle farming are the 
traditional livelihoods. Its mild climate, thermal springs, and beautiful 
landscapes give Graciosa high potential for eco and cultural tourism. 
Rio Eo, Oscos y Terras de Buron, Spain on the Cantabrian coastline between 
Asturias and Galicia encompasses four distinct landscape units - the 
estuary and mouth of the Eo River, the Cantabrian coastline, fluvial 
channels, and the Cantabrian mountain range. The Eo River estuary is an 
internationally recognized wetland under the Ramsar treaty and has 
sustainable development management plans. The inhabitants depend on 
livestock, forestry, and tourism. 
Biosphere Reserve Extensions 
Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, Canada. Formerly the Canadian Thousand 
Islands, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve includes St. Lawrence 
Islands National Park and Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Its continental 
scale landform, the Frontenac Arch, enables the movement of plants and 
animals through the natural barrier created by the Great Lakes and St. 
Lawrence River. The biosphere's boundaries have been extended to include 
Frontenac Provincial Park well as the Township of South Frontenac, which 
represents a 30 percent increase of the total core area. 
Great Volzhsko-Kamsky Biosphere Reserve, Russia. After the designation in 
2005 of the Raifa Biosphere reserve and the Sarali Land Between Rivers 
biosphere reserve, two additional units - Spassky and Sviyazhsky - now 
complete this reserve along the Volga River. It is located near the 
historic city of Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan at the northern end of 
the Kuibishev Reservoir, Europe's largest reservoir. 
The Spassky unit includes the refuge by the same name with the 64 islands 
and shallow lands of the Kuibishev Reservoir. The Sviazhsky nature refuge 
includes the valley and freshwater ecosystems of the mouth of the Sviyaga, 
a tributary of the Volga. This biosphere has cooperation links with the 
Flusslandschaft Elbe Biosphere Reserve in Germany. 

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