Biosphere parks have been created over the past 30 years. The initiator was UNESCO with the research programme “Man and the Biosphere“, or MAB for short. The aim of the programme is to observe the relationship between man and nature and at the same time to pick up social, economic and cultural aspects as well as important matters of environmental policy. Representative areas around the world were selected for the implementation of the research programme – this was how the biosphere park network was formed.

There are now 551 biosphere reserves in 107 countries (as of 2009). Bringing them together in this way promotes international cooperation between the reserves. Research results are exchanged, conflict resolution strategies are tested for transferability and central environment observation sites are established. In the EuroMAB network, for example, 31 countries from Europe and North America are represented and their representatives meet and exchange regularly.

Further information on biosphere parks and the MAB programme at www.unesco.org/mab
Download: MAB-Network (Source: Inspired by diversity / Sigrun Lange)