Martin Price Chair, Advisory Committee on Biosphere Reserves UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Mountain Development Centre for

1. Biosphere Reserves: Working Together for International Sites of Excellence Martin Price Chair, Advisory Committee on Biosphere Reserves UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Mountain Development Centre for Mountain Studies Perth College - UHI

2. What is a Biosphere Reserve? An area designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a member of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves

3. What is a Biosphere Reserve? • Not a reserve; not a “protected area” • Does not have to be named “X Biosphere Reserve”, e.g., • “X biosphere” • “X biosphere area” • Neither restrictive nor exclusive – apart from legally designated core zone

4. Aims “Sites of excellence to explore and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development on a regional scale” = A global accreditation for an area demonstrating excellence in sustainable development practice

5. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves 553 sites in 107 countries

6. UK Biosphere Reserves, 2010

7. Concept of Biosphere Reserves • initially developed in the early 1970s • conservation and research as the main focus 1976/7: UK • the Chief Scientist of the Nature Conservancy Council identified 13 National Nature Reserves (= core areas only) • all were nominated by the UK government • all were designated by UNESCO

8. Seville Conference (1995) • Seville Strategy • Statutory Framework for the World Network • Biosphere Reserves • “sites of excellence for reconciling conservation & sustainable development” • must have • 3 zones • local involvement in design & management • overall management policy / plan • Review process (10-year cycle)

9. Core area – devoted to nature conservation & legally protected • Buffer zone – only activities compatible with conservation objectives of core zone; clearly defined boundaries • Transition area – sustainable development promoted & developed; flexible outer boundary; where most of the people live

10. The three linked functions of biosphere reserves

11. Criteria for designation Biodiversity • encompass mosaic of ecological systems ….including gradation of human interventions • of significance for biological diversity conservation Sustainable development • provide opportunity to explore & demonstrate approaches to sustainable development on regional scale Zoning • appropriate size to serve 3 functions of biosphere reserves • include functions through appropriate zoning

12. Criteria for designation Governance • organizational arrangements should be provided for involvement & participation of range of stakeholders in design & implementation of functions of a BR • mechanisms to manage human use & activities in buffer zone(s) • management policy or plan for area as BR • designated authority/mechanism to implement policy or plan Programmes for research, monitoring, education & training

13. Review process in the UK • 1999: first review • Four sites in Scotland withdrawn • Caerlaverock, Claish Moss,Rhum, St. Kilda (2001) • Two sites completely revised, extended and approved by UNESCO • Braunton Burrows (2002) • Dyfi (2009) • One ongoing process  • Galloway and Southern Ayrshire • 2008-9: second review • One site in Scotland withdrawn • Taynish (2010)

14. Potential benefits • international recognition: a globally respected designation/quality assurance • a focus on “place”: the human-natural system - whose characteristics can be seen to improve through implementation of the BR • marketing opportunities for sustainably produced products or sustainably managed environments • international networks through which to share experience and develop partnerships

15. Potential benefits • attract those in search of a high-quality sustainably managed environment, and associated services • land/water use; leisure, recreation, adventure, study, pleasant living environment • increase pride in the local environment and the way in which it is managed • inject and attract dynamism into the local economy • lever in support or project funds by assuring • the quality of the environment • the sustainability of the local economy

16. Conditions for success: Economy • a perception of need for: • regeneration, new initiative, new ways of doing things amongst the local population • broadly-based interest in sustainable development • opportunity for improved livelihoods, income or new development related to the qualities of the natural environment • local food or wood products; outdoor recreation; tourism • local products • actual/potential local crafts or local processing of food and natural products

17. Conditions for success:Society & Governance • high levels of awarenessof natural values • local institutions or individuals keen to “champion” development and conservation • supportive local government – preferably with boundaries coincident with the BR • a coherent community: a common sense of identity and pride – preferably related in some way to the natural environment (e.g. fisheries, farming, shooting, education, recreation etc)

18. Conditions for success:Ecology & Geography • a high-quality natural environment, or one with potential to become high-quality • strong links between the quality of the environment and the lives of local people • attractive and accessible to local people and tourists with potential for recreation, exploration, interpretation, education • large enough to support significant sustainable land use activity and levels of production or service provision which can usefully be marketed under a BR/sustainable development label

19. Clayoquot Sound, Canada

20. Rhön, Germany

21. Entlebuch, Switzerland

22. Berchtesgaden, Germany

23. Thanks for your attention !