E
XTRAORDINARY
and Thous s Island nac Fronte a Arch Canad been
has t c Arch re ntena opmen brochu on edits a Devel ht years, the Fro ing year, it s focus
past eig nses. Each profession For the ssionals the se cipants in al lating of profe using loc stimu al parti lly twork rentia ge ne the loc listing es a lar d prefe sector. d It involv oducing an te. ges: pr tas the foo advanta ality of itted to domains of ltiple comm qu mu all es the transcribes ts, in esents improv produc t route” pr . It or ology image, in an ects ec The “sh es a brand er ves d prot re res ing a ot ucts an the biosphe d encourag it prom d prod by ty an d foo agriidenti ment. fende est for lues de environ qu va a the the y: of ry wa itation plo ex exempla us virtuo more
Cuba
in the
Biosphere Reserves Canada
Communication In 2011, the Manico uagan-Uapishka reserve inaugurated a “biosphere square” . The architecture and materials chosen for the constru ction of this square highlight the regional specificities that underlie the ecologi cal, industrial, historic and cultural abundance of this large territor y. This square is strategically located in the Baie-Comeau town centre and was designe d to be animated, with a fountai n, lighting effects, cultural events… These positive images and symbol s contribute to the appropriation of the biosphere reserve values by the population.
North-East Greenland
Clayoquot Sound
Manicouagan -Uapishka
Research, conservation, climatic change
Canada
Danemark
Greenland has been a biosphere reserve since 1977, and since the middle of the 1970s, it has a centre for research and the observation of the fauna, flora and climate, located in the Zackenberg station. It is a station for the observation of the climate and its evolution. Each year, this station hosts scores of scientists who conduct investigations on the influence of global climate change on the Arctic ecosystem. The collected data can be consulted on line on the site www.zackenb erg.dk, along with scientific publications and information concerning the activity of the station. This initiative led to the creation of an international centre for Arctic research on the 21st of September, illustrating the importance of the research and observation functions of the biosphere reserves.
cation
Edu ren's ses on child reserve focu 3, pupils t biosphere year 2012-201 The Clayoquo se on the school Throughout fit from a cour education. ol are to bene ies 12”. ndar y scho tainability Stud “Sus led from the seco entit tists, local development sustainable mobilize scien project will ren will take cies. The child This important agen ic civic and publ lopment, inable deve businessmen susta s, tice by ecosystem courses on them into prac and will put engagement in the field. the in activities It focuses on participating term aims. ing them and entails long This project natives by train cipation of their region, in in rema increased parti y to ns who are the possibilit lation of citize giving them popu nal e ting an activ their professio thereby crea ent, both in of the environm more aware and daily life.
J
OURNEYS Finland Climatic change, Compensation
Braunton B ur North Devon rowsCon United Kingdo
m
North Karelian
servation, polluti
on The north Devon bios phere rese FWAG (Farm rve is engaged ing and Wild in the life Advisory association, which has Group) agri defended cultural agricultural a strategic developm vision of ent since the association 1960s. This advocates independen environmenta protection t l awareness in order to carr y out a and activity. successful agricultural For example, the reserve conducts a reduction of effluents project invo in the mos lving the catchment t vuln area. An ann erable zone ual prize rewa s of the make a posi rds farmers tive contribu who tion to the a sustaina environment ble and profi table activ as part of ity.
The Ilosaari rock festival was created 40 years ago and is a contribution from the cultural sector to sustainable development. This is an ecological festival that sponsored a study in 2010 to determine its carbon footprint. Little by little, a forest is being planted to compensate for this footprint. This action also aims to compensate for the consequences of climatic change which are severely degrading the original Finnish forest. Pop Forest is an event focusing on forest conservation and climate change awareness, which complements and benefits from the notoriety of a preexisting festival.
Nanda Devi
Xilin Gol China
India
Culture, development
Planning in this nomadic populations ds, The settlement of hitherto e exploitation of grasslan region led to the intensiv ation of resources. resulting in the degrad in order to being explored here Several avenues are in change a steppe ecosystem: restore the former using farm model a implanting cultural practices by n of techniques; the reductio full-scale sustainable with grazing zones in relation urban pressure on zones. ions neighbouring urban s more food to populat provide reserve the In turn, be used as ds, which can even on quality grasslan Here the reserve is recreational areas. interface. symbiotic urban/rural focused on a more
The Nanda Devi biosphere reserve is located in a region of the Himalayas with medicinal treasures from very rich ecosystems. These resources are under threat from an ecological point of view in that lifestyles are changing and knowledge is disappearing. A recent five year ethno-medical study has focused on gathering ancestral knowledge regarding plants and care practices. The recorded therapeutic elements concern multiple conditions, with information on treatments, application modes, dosage, length of treatment and plant samples. Here, scientists are struggling to combat the loss of mainly oral knowledge. The accumulated knowledge serves to naturally protect the land in question, as the value of this land becomes better known. It leads to alternative and economical therapeutic treatments for local populations who can also organize the local exploitation of these resources for a wider population.
Guanahacabibes Peninsula Culture, conservation
the bird festival takes place During the month of October, reserve. This provides in the Guanahacabibes biosphere ts of the region and an opportunity for the inhabitan native and migratory bird visitors to discover the 200 programme includes festival The species in the reserve. theatre, drawing, poetry conferences, debates, dance, linked to the theme of bird and painting competitions, s around biodiversity crystallize protection. The creativity of this region. a positive image of the ecology from the bird festival The creative energy stemming of sets in motion a process stimulates awareness and n. populatio appropriation by the local
Noosa Australia Climat ic governan change, ce
Dessins Jacques HURTAUD - EPTB Dordogne
Noosa is climatic organizing a study ch to asse extreme ange in Au ss the stralia conditio risks ind (rise in The so ns, de tempe uced by uthea st of Qu crease in an rature locate s, increa nu eenslan d, is on se in e of d, where al precipitat to clima ions). tic chan the two mo the No scientifi st osa res ge. In relation vulnerable erve is c and are po climate with na litical as in Au efforts, ris tional stralia and int vulnerab k and is loo Noosa ern kin is ility of aspects the reg g for the be evaluating ex ational st strate ion. All are tak posure econom en gies to the so to cial an y, crisis into conside d envir reduce the mana ration mana geme onme geme : healt nt, pla ntal nt, bio h and metho nning divers quality do of life, for the logy chosen and infrastru ity, agricult ure, co Noosa to imple cture. astal The climate mana me geme contribu nt the prog participati nt of cli ve ramme tes mate of actio change to the prag n ma and ad vocates tic adaptat ion.
Bassin de la Dordogne
Las Yungas
Mata Atlântica
Argentina
Development
as , the Las Yung cipative work plan ctive and parti development Through colle a strategic rve prepared and promotion biosphere rese : conservation ovement of ral major axes impr seve nd age, arou herit and age, cultural le activities of natural herit of sustainab e of , promotion on the them infrastructures munication of a and lastly, com . The creation ecotourism, ic outreach ent and publ in a brochure the environm d together linke . ucts plan l prod ration of the label of loca a good illust orial is territ gas” of “Productoyun construction l cipates in the future labe This label parti present and ecting notoriety. This products resp identity and ly of quality coherent supp provides a ent. the environm
la Caatinga
Brazil
Insertion, conservation reserve (Atlantic forest in The Mata Atlântica biosphere of the to cater for the specific needs Portuguese) was created of an ecosystem spread over large-scale management Brazil, including the green eastern in coastline of km 3,000 s. The main aim is to preserve belt of the São Paulo metropoli and one of the world's richest and restore ecological corridors a population of 100 million biodiversities, in a zone with s, protection of forest ecosystem people. It promotes a better social development. sustainable exploitation and es the development of encourag also The biosphere reserve namely for waste sectors, economic le new sustainab and enables people with collection, sorting and recycling, providing access to employment, by social difficulties to gain adapted training.
Brazil
Governance La Caatinga, which means “white forest” in the Topi language, is a thorny Brazilian forest. The Caatinga biosphere reserve aims to allow populations to live in a dignified and sustainable manner, to combat child mortality, to reclaim land lost through deforestation and to discover the treasures of biodiversity with multiple applications. In order to do so, it is organizing the Caatinga week to mobilize research bodies and public authorities into local and coordinated action. “What is the Caatinga worth?” is a volume contributing to making the operation clear, which aims to federate the different energies around the Caatinga issues. In a region where biodiversity and population survival are under threat, governance appears to be necessary in order to share issues and solutions and to structure effective action.
Clim
Kafa
France Conservation, development, culture
Isla de El Hierr
o
ate chan The Hie Spain ge, deve rro is aim in the lopmen ing to world become t for ren are lea the firs ewable din t self-s energies partners g a project . The pu ufficient isla in relati targetin nd blic au energy g the pro on with res thoriti fro earch es ducti a hydra m renewab and pri le sourc on of 100 % vate ulic fac of the es. An tor y is 11,000 isla eolian used inh farm co nd's visitors. abitants of the to cover all upled the ne island with eds of Photo an d the the voltaic 60,000 energy island's summ is used er remote for the electric region electricit s, hot transpo water also be rt. A de and pri y supply of the salinatio built in Energy order n factor vate and pu to pro saving blic y for sea vide wa has no promo water ter t been tio will neglecte for irrigatio involve n of walking n. d and an private includ vehicles d a system of es the car sh in the ari public transpo ng tickets to rt netw ork .
around a t area (24,000 km²) revolves The Dordogne catchmen for a It provides quality habitats watershed and river system. ed species, such as the European number of rare and endanger economic estuary Angelica… Many Sturgeon, the Eel, the Otter, the river: been developing around and leisure activities have water e, hydroelectricity, drinking boating, camping, agricultur , , fishing, hunting, swimming resources, grit extraction world founding principle of the canoeing-kayaking… The that the is Dordogne la de biosphere reserve Bassin benefits heritage, its resources and conservation of the fluvial and development of this territory should be part of the future stimulate its inhabitants. It aims to a source of well-being for of the energy of the communities the imagination and the le, to include the area in a sustainab Dordogne basin in order the of s where awarenes progress-oriented approach benefit. d as an advantage and a environment is considere
Mont Ventoux
Minorca Spain
Combatting human impacts oes island and thus underg Minorca is a very touristic y of the island, e. Due to the insularit strong human pressur ambitious It has launched a very resources are limited. pation involves policy. This preoccu waste management and tourists ess of island-dwellers promoting the awaren researching creations from waste, alike, making artistic processing. ting, optimizing waste waste reduction, compac strandline that explains n on waste This global reflectio considered as not be systematically accumulations must waste. is avoided, as this ive beach cleaning In this way, exhaust ms (crustaceans, ion of small organis leads to the rarefact for fish te to the food supply molluscs), which contribu . and other coastal animals
V
P.Aguilar
- SMAEM
France Development
SCO ted as a UNE nce was designa ral abunda t Ventoux of the natu In 1990, Mon ons to recognition reserve, in local populati biosphere mitment of charter of and the com lopment. A of the area the ainable deve of sust ent in investing the attachm the recognizes territory to commitment lders of the of the mic stakeho awareness socio-econo es and their reserve valu biosphere ities. l efforts in their activ ote individua prom environment ities the certain activ ss by using In this way, ental awarene on. g environm communicati for increasin commercial phere in bios re” virtues of the label “biosphe l of the loca illustrates the n h ictio roac This app e the conv environment h encourag ect for the reserves, whic make resp in order to takeholders inconvenient. rather than seductive,
Karst
Ethiopia
Slovenia
Development, conservation, climatic change The Kafa biosphere reserve contains an abundant variety of coffee trees, which grow naturally in the forests of the region. There is a strong temptation to favour the more productive species in intensive exploitations. In order to avoid this schema, a programme has been implemented to help local farmers to exploit wild coffee cherries, in situ, in return for forest conservation. Today, the local community manages 12,000 ha of forests and traditional cooperatives are part of the Kafa coffee harvesters union. Wild coffee is now the main source of revenue for farmers and their families, representing about 50,000 people. The sustainable management of this local resource contributes to the well being of the local population and to protecting the forest, which plays a vital role as a carbon trap.
Education in Slovenia, Since 2001, the caves park of Skojcan, local and launched educational programmes for cross-border (Italy) school children. park train children Scientists and professionals from the flora and and visitors in the observation of fauna, gathered meteorological parameters. The observations to contribute to are stored on an Internet site in order international information for the public and also to scientific programmes. reach out to designed are These long-term programmes to local populations and to increase environment is an sustainability awareness. The use of Internet of effective way of ensuring the dissemination information in all households.
WORLD NETWORK OF UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVES
621 BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN 117 COUNTRIES FOLLOW THE GUI DE
Come with me to discover some extraordinary experiences that stimulate the imagination!
The Coulobre was born in the Dordogne sources, in the Massif central, in France. He has the body of a serpent, a dragon's head, an enormous tail and powerful feet, enabling him to straddle the river. In a former life, he attacked and carried away boatmen, shermen and virgins passing near the Gratusse rapids at Lalinde - until the happy day when the Chevalier Saint-Front, called in by the terri ed local inhabitants, slew the beast with one mighty sword-thrust.
T
his journey around the world shows that these plots of our planet recognized by UNESCO are looking for original ways of experimenting, innovating and leading their inhabitants towards more sustainable development, where biodiversity and all its resources will be an advantage for a better way of life tomorrow. Each biosphere reserve, with its specific ecological, geographic, social and cultural features, is mapping out a path towards a more sustainable future. Each is setting up a constructive dialogue between the different participants in the region concerned in relation to biodiversity management, the use of natural resources, and more generally, in relation to the environment. They are mobilizing scientific and indigenous knowledge and contributing to the training and awareness of the young and the not so young! Lastly, the experience acquired is put to work to the benefit of the other sites of the worldwide network.
ke Today, the Coulobre has risen phoenix-li from his ashes to become the benevolent protector of the Dordogne River. Neither godhead nor devil, but rather a supernatural being, he loves Nature and puts his nger on problems that people sometimes overlook. It s only remains to add that he is also EPIDOR' emblem.
EPIDOR Etablissement Public Territorial du Bassin de la Dordogne This panel was designed by EPIDOR, the coordination structure for the World Biosphere Reserve Bassin de la Dordogne, with the contribution of several biosphere reserves, the support of the UNESCO MAB secretariat and the French MAB Committee. When the World Biosphere Reserve Bassin de la Dordogne was nominated by UNESCO in 2012, it wished to make the World Network of Biosphere Reserves better known to its inhabitants. This biosphere reserve encompasses the whole Dordogne catchment area. It extends over 24,000 km2 and comprises over 1 million inhabitants.
www.riviere-dordogne.fr
What purpose do the biosphere reserves serve?
How are the biosphere reserves organized?
What is the best way of optimizing the natural resources for the inhabitants? How can the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of natural resources be stopped? How can each one of us live better in his/her region? What is the best way to adapt to ongoing and forthcoming global changes?
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is governed by a statutory framework adopted in 1995 by the UNESCO General Conference. It stipulates that each reserve should fulfill three complementary functions of equal importance.
In order to look for answers to these universal questions, UNESCO established the biosphere reserves. These are sites where the Man and Biosphere MAB programme, launched in 1971, is applied. This programme encourages research and demonstration and training activities for sustainable resource management. It was created on the initiative of scientists worried by the rarefication of resources, the degradation of the environment and by the gaping inequalities between different regions of the globe. The biosphere reserves are regions where leaders are committed to striving for more sustainable development, working with all the stakeholders, economic partners, associations, researchers, teachers… The question of biodiversity is at the interface of science and society, in the same way as the optimization of local resources, education and citizen involvement. In 2013, 621 biosphere reserves are spread over 117 countries, including 12 cross-border sites.
Poster realised with the support of the "Initiative Biosphere Dordogne" Association
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme
UN PARTENARIAT EPIDOR Etablissement Public Territorial du Bassin de la Dordogne
EPIDOR 2013
It established 3 types of zones: the core zone, which is regulated
and includes one or several areas protected by national law. the buffer zone aims to attenuate
disturbances and pollution and to reinforce the protection of the central areas. Only ecologically viable activities and practices are encouraged. the transition (or cooperation) area includes towns and villages. Activities are oriented towards sustainable development and the local population is encouraged to participate in decisions concerning land management.