Many times throughout history, humans have faced the choice between economic development and biological conservation. Many times throughout history, humans have chosen economic development, Consequently in 1974, under sponsorship of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program, came the Biosphere Reserves. The objective was simple, create a place that protects the cultural and biological diversity of a specific regions. The idea is to promote the cooperation of scientists and reserve managers, allowing both parties better access to crucial data. The research data is geared towards reaching a better understanding on the impact of humans on nature. With this key understanding, environmental groups and communities can make a collaborative effort on conservation issues.
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In order to earn the biosphere reserve designation, a national government must nominate an ecosystem and it must be granted approval from UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program. To satisfy the program requirements, every reserve must have three elements:
Core Areas
Core areas are secure, monitored, sites focused on the conservation of biological diversity. Here, ecosystems, and their inhabitants, are monitored 24-7, relatively undisturbed. Through this constant monitoring, researchers are able to do highly sensitive studies as well as low-impact education.
Buffer Zones
Buffer zones are clearly identified areas that typically adjoin or surround the Core Areas. These zones are used for quite a few ecological activities, like: education, research, and ecotourism.
Cooperation or Transition Zones
These areas can include farms, towns, fisheries, and other activities. They are also the areas used by local communities, scientists, management agencies, cultural groups, and non-governmental organizations. The goal is to cooperatively manage and develop the area’s resources in a sustainable manner.
Zones are flexibly designed and can be implemented in a number of ways to address the specific needs of a local area. In the U.S., the majority of the 47 reserves include national parks within the core area, which are surrounded by managed transition and buffer zones. Biosphere reserves in the U.S. include the Everglades, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Mojave Desert, and many others. In total, there are 368 reserves in 91 countries around the world.
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