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11 New Biosphere Reserves in 9 Countries
UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program has recently designated 10 new biosphere reserves in 9 countries, along with one transboundary biosphere reserve in 2 countries.
With these new additions, the global network of Biosphere reserves now encompasses a total of 748 sites in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites. The decision to designate these reserves was made by the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's MAB Program, which comprises 34 UNESCO members.
Biosphere reserves serve as protected areas aimed at conserving plants, animals, and traditional ways of life for indigenous communities residing in the vicinity. They play a crucial role in safeguarding the biodiversity of these regions. The Man and Biosphere Reserve Program, initiated by UNESCO in 1971, identifies and promotes these reserves to foster sustainable development.
Each biosphere reserve, as per UNESCO, encourages innovative local solutions for conserving biodiversity, preserving ecosystems, mitigating climate change, and supporting people's livelihoods through the development of agroecology, renewable energy sources, and green industries.
UNESCO's goal is to designate 30% of Earth's land surface as protected areas and restore 30% of the planet's degraded ecosystems by 2030, in order to promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
1. Cameroon: Korup Rainforest Biosphere Reserve
Among the newly designated reserves is the Korup Rainforest Biosphere Reserve in southwest Cameroon, which houses one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, estimated to be over 60 million years old. Spanning from lowland rainforest to subtropical montane rainforest, the Korup Rainforest is part of the Guinean-Congolese biogeographic region.
It shares its boundaries with the Oban Biosphere Reserve in Nigeria. The Korup Rainforest Biosphere Reserve is recognized as one of Africa's two Pleistocene refugia, characterized by its exceptional biodiversity and endemic flora and fauna. The reserve is also home to a linguistically and culturally diverse population of African primates. Critically endangered Cross River gorillas can be found here.
2. Central African Republic: Protected Area Complex of Northeast Central African Republic Biosphere Reserve
Another noteworthy addition is the Protected Area Complex of the Northeast Central African Republic Biosphere Reserve, situated in the northeast of the country. It lies at the confluence of the Congo, Lake Chad, and Nile basins, serving as a transition zone between the Sahelian region in the north and the humid equatorial region in the south.
The biosphere reserve supports a diverse population of 80,000 and boasts a wide range of plant and animal species. Notably, the Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris National Park, a significant area within this reserve, is already listed as a World Heritage site.
3. Colombia: Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó Biosphere Reserve
Colombia's Tribuega-Cupica-Baudo Biosphere Reserve becomes the first biosphere reserve located on the Pacific coast of the country. It is one of two large biomes in the region and is home to over 18,000 people, primarily consisting of indigenous Embera and Afro-Colombian communities.
The Embera people who live here speak a rare isolated language. The main economic activities within the reserve include subsistence agriculture, artisanal and traditional fishing, resource utilization, trade, nature tourism, and handicrafts like pottery.
4. Germany: Drömling Biosphere Reserve
The Dromling Biosphere Reserve in Germany is located on both sides of the former inner-German border between the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony. Over the past 250 years, the area has developed into a cultural landscape that combines agricultural development with peat bog protection.
It encompasses 11 nature reserves, 5 landscape protection areas, and 1 national nature monument known as the Green Belt. Around 54% of this biosphere reserve is designated as a bird sanctuary within the European network of protected areas, Natura 2000.
5. Indonesia: Bantimurung Bulusaraung - Ma'Rupanne Biosphere Reserve
Indonesia's Bantimurung Bulusarang - Ma'rupanne Biosphere Reserve, situated in the South Sulawesi province, consists of three main landscapes: Bantimurung, Bulusarang, and Maros Pangkep. The Maros Pangkep region is the second-largest karst landscape globally.
The biosphere reserve has a population that includes the Makassar and Bugis people, who have preserved their traditional cultures for centuries. This has led to the development of nature and cultural tourism within the reserve. The Bantimurung Bulusarang National Park, a core area of the reserve, is internationally recognized for its rich biodiversity, including 250 butterfly species.
6. Kenya, Uganda: Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve
The Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve spans Kenya and Uganda and is home to over 300 bird species. The region's plant and animal species are distributed across four distinct ecological zones: mixed montane forest, bamboo, and low canopy forest, sub-alpine montane heath, and alpine moorland. The biosphere reserve supports a population of approximately 1,150,000 people, with various indigenous communities, including the Sabot, Luhya, Teso, Bagisu, and others.
7. Mongolia: Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve
The Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve in Mongolia is located at the southern edge of the Siberian and Boreal Coniferous Forest. Encompassing the Daurian steppe, the Onon and Balj river basins, and the Khentii mountain range, the reserve features diverse ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and freshwater.
The region is not only renowned for its wetlands and waterbird populations but also holds cultural significance with historical sites related to Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire. The biosphere reserve attracts cultural tourism and promotes eco-friendly and community-based ecotourism.
8. Pakistan: Chitral Bashkar Garmchashma Biosphere Reserve
Pakistan's Galleys Biosphere Reserve, situated in the moist-temperate Western Himalayan region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is globally recognized for biodiversity conservation. The reserve is home to endangered or threatened species like the common leopard (Panthera pardus).
It encompasses highly diverse ecosystems, including sub-alpine meadows, conifer forests, moist temperate forests, and subtropical pine forests. The region's rich cultural heritage and unique natural environment attract approximately 2.5 million visitors annually, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the area.
9. Peru: Bicentenario-Ayacucho Biosphere Reserve
The Bicentenario-Ayacucho Biosphere Reserve in Peru is located in the Central Andes region of south-central Peru. It comprises a variety of mountain ecosystems, ranging in elevation from 1,850 meters to 4,450 meters above sea level. The reserve includes seasonally dry forests, high Andean wetlands, relict forests, and Andean scrublands.
Notably, the biosphere reserve is known for its cultural diversity and values. With a population of over 300,000, predominantly residing in urban areas like the city of Ayacucho, the region experiences a transition zone between different ecosystems.
10. Pakistan: Gallies Biosphere Reserve
In Pakistan, the Chitral Bashkar Hot Springs Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Chitral district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan. The Chitral region boasts breathtaking landscapes, including 543 glaciers and 31 mountain ranges reaching heights of 7,000 meters and above, with three peaks at Tirich Mir.
The reserve is home to wild sheep species and the snow leopard (Panthera uncia). It also harbors a unique cultural heritage developed over millennia by various peoples and languages, including endangered Indo-Aryan languages like Kalasha and Kalasham.
11. Tanzania: Rufiji-Mafia-Kibiti-Kilwa Biosphere Reserve (RUMAKI)
Tanzania's Rufiji-Mafia-Kibiti-Kilwa Biosphere Reserve, known as Rumaki, is administratively located in the Lindi (Quila District) and Pawani (Rufiji, Mafia, and Kibiti Districts) regions.
This reserve encompasses a remarkable mosaic of tropical marine habitats, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and intertidal zones, supporting diverse populations of turtles, migratory birds, dolphins, and whale sharks. The reserve's population, exceeding 229,000, relies heavily on tourism and small-scale and semi-industrial fishing as their main livelihoods.
Overall, the newly designated biosphere reserves, spanning various countries and regions, contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, restoration of ecosystems, and promotion of sustainable development. These reserves serve as models for innovative local solutions that address pressing global challenges like climate change. Through their efforts, UNESCO aims to reach its goal of designating 30% of Earth's land surface as protected areas and restoring 30% of the planet's degraded ecosystems by 2030.
