Dr. Thomas SchaafUNESCODivision of Ecological SciencesMan and the Biosphere Programme (MAB)

International Concepts of Nature International Concepts of Nature Conservation:Conservation:

UNESCO’s World Network of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Reserves and the and the World Heritage ConventionWorld Heritage Convention

• Overview on Overview on Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Reserves and and World Heritage Convention World Heritage Convention

• Differences and similaritiesDifferences and similarities

• Can the two concepts be Can the two concepts be complementary to one another?complementary to one another?

• Biosphere Reserve conceptBiosphere Reserve concept:: to couple environmental conservationto couple environmental conservation with sustainable developmentwith sustainable development

• World Heritage conceptWorld Heritage concept:: to conserve the world’s most to conserve the world’s most outstanding natural (and cultural) outstanding natural (and cultural) sitessites

The Man and the Biosphere The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme:(MAB) Programme:

provides conceptual and provides conceptual and administrative framework for administrative framework for Biosphere Reserves as an Biosphere Reserves as an intergovernmental programmeintergovernmental programme

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - Programme - ObjectivesObjectives

Environmental research and conservation Environmental research and conservation programme programme

• Objective 1Objective 1: to study and improve the : to study and improve the relationship between people and relationship between people and their environmenttheir environment

• Objective 2Objective 2: to conserve the environment : to conserve the environment through sustainable use ofthrough sustainable use ofnatural resources (biosphere reserves)natural resources (biosphere reserves)

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - Programme - OriginsOrigins

• 1968: Biosphere Conference (organised by 1968: Biosphere Conference (organised by UNESCO, FAO, WHO, IUCN, ICSU) UNESCO, FAO, WHO, IUCN, ICSU)

• 1971: Approval of MAB Programme by 1971: Approval of MAB Programme by UNESCO General ConferenceUNESCO General Conference

• 1971: First session of the MAB1971: First session of the MABInternational Co-ordinating CouncilInternational Co-ordinating Council

• 1975: first biosphere reserve nominations1975: first biosphere reserve nominations

Hallmark of Biosphere Hallmark of Biosphere Reserves: Reserves: three functionsthree functions

• Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfil three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing. It is the synergy of these functions which makes it a biosphere reserve

Three inter-related zones:• core area (s), • buffer zone,

and • outer transition area or area of co-operation

Zonation pattern of Zonation pattern of biosphere reservesbiosphere reserves

• Formally recognised by 188 Member States of UNESCO

• Tool for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources (thus contributing to the CBD and the UNCCD)

• To-date: 425 biosphere reserves in 95 countries

• 30 new nominations received in 2002 (of which 18 were approved)

The World Network The World Network of of

Biosphere ReservesBiosphere Reserves

                                                                           

      

Biosphere Reserves in Asia-Pacific

Issyk-Kul BR

Biosphere Reserves in Africa

Queen Elizabeth BR

Biosphere Reserves

in South America

Huascaran BR

Biosphere Reserves in Northern America

Everglades BR

                                                                                  

Biosphere Reserves inEurope

Luberon BR

Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (Seville, Spain, 1996)

Article 1: DefinitionArticle 2: World Network of Biosphere ReservesArticle 3: FunctionsArticle 4: CriteriaArticle 5: Designation procedureArticle 6: PublicityArticle 7: Participation in the NetworkArticle 8: Regional and thematic networksArticle 9: Periodic reviewArticle 10: Role of Secretariat

Article 4 (Criteria): General criteria of a Biosphere Reserve:

1. Representative ecosystem of a major biogeographic region;

2. Significance for biological diversity;

3. Site for exploring sustainable development on a regional scale;

4. Appropriate size to serve the three functions;

5. Zonation should reflect the functions:(a) core area: legally constituted for long-term

protection;(b) buffer zone: clearly identified for activities

compatible with conservation;(c) transition area for sustainable resource management

practises.Legally protected for conservation

Research, monitoring, education

Sustainable development

6. Involvement of people (public authorities,local communities, private stake-holders…), with provisions for:

• a management plan or policy;

• a designated authority to implement this plan;

• programmes for research, monitoring, educationand training.

Local level:Biosphere Reserve

National level:Ministry

Research level:University

Local level:Biosphere Reserve

Local level:Biosphere Reserve

Local level:Biosphere Reserve

National level:Ministry

National level:Ministry

National level:Ministry

Research level:University

Research level:University

Research level:University

Biosphere Reserves for biodiversity conservation and sustainabledevelopment inanglophone Africa (BRAAF)

A networkA networkforforcollaborationcollaboration

Project Objectives:

(1) Biodiversity conservation: • enhancing the protection of the site.• species inventorying.

(2) Sustainable development:• find alternative income opportunities for local people, so as to reduce pressure on the protected areas.

Ghana - Bia Biosphere Reserve

Main partners:• Environmental Protection Agency;• Wildlife Department;• University of Ghana, Botany Department;• Local people

Bia Biosphere Reserve

•Administrative Unit: Bia National Park

•Area (hectares): 7,770 •Elevation Range: 145 - 230m •Biome: Tropical humid forests • Biogeographic Province:

Guinean Rain Forest •Year Designated as Biosphere

Reserve: 1983

Principal Monitoring and Research Themes:

• Elephant population research • Primate species monitoring

Problem:With designation of national park restriction of natural resources use.

Problem solving: to find alternativeincome opportunities, in particular to satisfy the demands on animal protein for the local populations

Solution 1:Establishment of fish pondsin buffer/transition zones

Solution 2:a) provision of licenses to collect African giant snails (Acatina acatina)

b) establishing snail farms in local communities around the the biosphere reserve (commercial farming)

Uganda - Queen Elizabeth BR

Main partners:• Makerere University;• Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)• Local people

Queen Elizabeth BRQueen Elizabeth BR

QUEEN ELIZABETH Biosphere Reserve

Major ecosystem type: Tropical dry or deciduous forests/mixed mountain and highland systems Major habitats & land cover types: Undulating grasslands with Euphorbia spp.; Acacia savannas; semi-deciduous tropical high forest; semi-deciduous forest; swamps dominated by Cyperus papyrus and Vossia cuspidata; tundra; salt lakes with salt extraction areas; agroecosystems; pasture land; lakes

•Area (hectares): 246,500 • Altitude: +910 to +1,390• Year designated: 1979

Current research/monitoring activities: • Monitoring on soil, sediment and water chemistry and plant dynamics of polluted and degraded areas; • Small mammals;• Inventory of large mammals and their potential utilization;• Fisheries resources;•Studies on resource utilization by local communities, problem animals and food security

Problems:• Intensive agricultural land use right at the border

of the protected area;• Eleven fishing villages within the park.

Solutions:• Collaboration with local populations (information

seminars)• Establishment of bee hives for apiculture to diversify income opportunities

• Development of tourism industry, in particular selling of handicrafts by women

Amboseli BRAmboseli BR

Kenya -Amboseli BR

Main partners:• National Environment Secretariat;• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS);• Amboseli/Tsavo Group Ranches Association;• Local people.

Area (hectrares): 483,206Altitude: 1,000 to +1,300Year designated: 1991

Current principal research/ monitoring activities:

• Ecology of the Amboseli Basin • Long term baboon, vervet and

elephant studies • Tourism impacts assessment • Ecosystem restoration • Buffer zone development

analysis • Studies on change of swamps• Setting up of game ranches• GIS applications for reserve

management

Major ecosystem type: Tropical grasslands and savanna

Major habitats & land cover types: Commiphora/Acacia bushland; saline/alkaline plains; Acacia woodland with yellow-barked acacia; swampland supporting sedges (Cyperus spp.) including Cyperus papyrus; agroecosystems with tomatoes, onions, maize, bananas etc.

Problems:• Resource use conflicts with local populations

(Masaai);• Tourism pressure on restricted area

(national park)

Reduced competition on park resources (less poaching)

Reduced tourist pressure on national park and diffused it to surrounding areas.

Solutions: Establishment of private group ranches in collaboration with Masaai

Results of BRAAF project:

• Information exchange among countries through annual meetings on a rotation principle.

• New ideas for resource use and resource management (apiculture, snail farming).

• At each site: in-depth species inventorying. • Universities carried out scientific studies at each site. • Sensitization of local people on biosphere reserve

concept.• Based on needs of local people: introduction of schemes for income generation.• “Positive competition” effect.

The World Heritage ConventionThe World Heritage Convention

Basics for the protection of natural sites and cultural

landscapes

The World Heritage ConceptThere is a set of places that are of such outstanding universal value that their deterioration or destruction constitutes a loss to the heritage of all humanity, not just to the country in which it is located.

These cultural and natural places

make up the world’s heritage.

The World Heritage List:

To-date, the World Heritage Committee has inscribed 730 properties on the World Heritage List, of which: • 563 cultural sites;• 144 natural sites; and • 23 mixed properties

in 125 States Parties

Threats to the world’s heritage became increasingly apparent during the 1960’s; e.g.

» Potential loss of the Nubian Monuments (Egypt) under the Aswan High Dam.

» Floods in Venice (Italy) damaged buildings and frescos;

Independent moves to create international instruments for the protection of cultural heritage and of natural heritage initiative to form a single legal instrument.

Genesis of the Convention

Nomination of sites• Only a State Party can nominate a site on its

territory;

• Site can be justified on the basis of cultural heritage, natural heritage or a combination;

• Qualities of the site are assessed against a set of criteria developed by the WH Committee.

The Convention

1972 World Heritage Convention

1975 Convention operational

1978 First nature site inscribed

1978 Operational Guidelines

1992 Cultural Landscapes

Categories

Role of the World Heritage Convention

• Seeks to identify and protect the world’s heritage through a system of collective assistance and co-operation;

• Intended to compliment, not replace, the actions of States Parties;

• Establishes the World Heritage Committee, World Heritage List, the List of World Heritage in Danger, & the World Heritage Fund.

Nomination procedure

1) Countries become “State Parties” by signing

the World Heritage Convention and pledging

to protect their cultural/natural heritage;

2) State Party:• makes a tentative list by selecting sites con-

sidered to be of “outstanding universal value”.

•

Nominates sites for inscription on the WH List.

•

Sends nomination to UNESCO WH Centre.

3) UNESCO World Heritage Centre:• checks the nomination file;• send the nomination file to ICOMOS (for cultural sites) or to IUCN (for natural sites).

4) ICOMOS and/or IUCN:• send experts to: - evaluate protection & management of site - prepare a technical report.• Check the Convention criteria• send the evaluation report incl.

recommendations to WH Bureau

5) World Heritage Bureau:• examines the proposal & recommendations• may ask for further information to State Party

6) World Heritage Committee:• may ask for further information to State Party• refuses inscription or • inscribes the in the World Heritage List.

Nomination CriteriaNomination Criteria

as per Convention and itsas per Convention and its

Operational GuidelinesOperational Guidelines

Natural criteria (Article 2 of the Convention):

”Natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view;

geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation;

natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty."

Operational Guidelines: a natural site must fulfil one or several of the following criteria:

Criterion 1: outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;

Example: Yellowstone NP (USA)

•More geothermal features than the rest of the world combined (>300 geysers & >10000 other);

• 27 fossil forests;

• Abundance of pleistocene glaciation features.

Or Criterion 2: be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;

• Elevational differences produced a range of plant communities (semi-arid steppe alpine tundra);

• Important habitats for large free-ranging mammals (incl. bisons, bears, carnivores).

OrCriterion 3: contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;

• Superlative hydrothermal phenomena:

– Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs etc;

• Edges of lava flows creating 41 waterfalls;

• Plateau surrounded by high mountains.

OrCriterion 4: contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

• 290 species of birds, 58 mammals, 13 fish, 6 reptiles, 4 amphibians, 1,100 vascular plants;

• Threatened species including peregrine falcon, bald eagle, grizzly bear & mountain lion.

List of World Heritage in Danger

• The Committee may list a site upon the “List of World Heritage in Danger” if it feels that it is threatened by a serious and specific danger;– Ascertained danger: a manifest danger to the integrity of the

site that is specific and imminent;

– Potential danger: a threat that may develop and threaten a site, such as a reduction in protective regime;

• Danger listing is the first step in the process to remove sites that have lost their outstanding universal value from the World Heritage List.

Biosphere ReservesBiosphere Reserves

and and

World Heritage sitesWorld Heritage sites• Differences• Similarities• Operations• Complementarity

Differences

WH sites must be of outstanding universal value

BRs are representative or typical ecosystems

WH sites generally cover protected areas only (e.g. national park)

BRs go beyond boundaries of protected areas: they also include economically used areas (buffer & transition zones)

WH sites emphasize conservation (though research & training may also be required for improved site protection)

BRs promote conservation, research and development in an equal manner

Similarities

WH sites are protected areas

BRs include protected areas

WH sites provide the highest degree of international legal protection

BRs have varying degrees of legal protection (e.g. from nature reserves to national parks), but are also internationally recognized

The WH Convention is serviced by UNESCO

(= World Heritage Centre)

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is serviced by UNESCO

(= Division of Ecological Sciences)

Operations

World Heritage Convention ratified by 174 States Parties

Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves adopted by a UNESCO General Conference Resolution (188 Member States)

Status of conservation monitored on case-by-case basis and on regional basis (6 years’ cycle)

Periodic review of BRs every ten years

Delisting formally foreseen by WH Committee

Delisting foreseen in Statutory Framework

Complementarity

WH sites provide the highest degree of international legal protection

BRs provide scientific knowledge on the functioning of ecosystems

WH sites can benefit from the WH Fund for enhanced conservation (e.g. training of managers)

BRs are sites where scientists and managers meet: BRs have the logistic and scientific capacities to organize training seminars

WH sites often generate income through tourism

BRs promote sustainable development in partnership with local people

ComplementarityOver 60 sites are both - Natural world heritage sites and biosphere reserves

For example:

• India: Sunderbans Nat. Park WH site (1987) Sunderbans BR (2001)

• Tanzania: Serengeti-Ngorongoro BR (1981) Serengeti WH site (1981)

Useful websites :

www.unesco.org/mab

www.unesco.org/whc