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Biosphere Reserve

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iosphere reserves are internationally designated reserves, designated by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere Programme. There are relatively few such reserves, only nine in the UK. All UK Biosphere Reserves are also at least in part NNRs and SSSIs. There are 225 biosphere reserves in 31 countries (Last updated: June 2004).

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine ecosystems, where, through appropriate zoning patterns and management mechanisms, the conservation of ecosystems and their biodiversity is combined with the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of local communities, including relevant research, monitoring, education and training activities. They thus represent a tool for implementing the concerns of Agenda 21, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other international agreements.

The future development of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves will be guided by the Strategy and Statutes for the world network which was drawn up at the International Conference on Biosphere Reserves held in Seville in March 1995.

A full list of UK biosphere reserves.
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere.