General Principles on Biosphere Reserves

The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association (SNBRA) is a non-profit organization who, along with the voluntary support of educational institutions, community, business and government partners, will seek to balance the conservation of natural and cultural heritage with sustainable resource development in Southwest Nova Scotia.
 

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

A “Biosphere Reserve” is a designation of recognition from UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) for an area which demonstrates a “balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.” By this is meant that collaborative efforts among people in the designated area promote the sustainability of local economies and communities, as well as the conservation of the terrestrial/or coastal ecosystems they are in.

A Biosphere is also a mechanism used for regional planning and multi-sector collaboration.  It offers an opportunity for the community to envision what they want for the region and to work toward achieving it.

It is important to note that a Biosphere Reserve does not have any law-making or land-use changing powers.  They are engaged solely in voluntary initiatives, with the main goal being to seek a balance between the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and sustainable economic development.  Put simply, the role of the Biosphere Reserve is to support prosperous local economies while maintaining healthy communities.

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What are the 3 Functions that a Biosphere Reserve must Fulfill?

Biosphere Reserves fulfill the three following functions:

·         a conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

·         a development function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;

·         a logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.

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How are Biosphere Reserves Geographically Organized?

To carry out the complementary activities of nature conservation and use of natural resources, biosphere reserves are traditionally organized into three interrelated zones, known as the core area, the buffer zone and the area of cooperation.  These zones serve the following functions:

Core area : Normally, it is not subject to human activity, except research and monitoring and, as the case may be, to traditional extractive uses by local communities.

Buffer zone: It is clearly delineated and surrounds or is contiguous to the core area. Activities are organized here so that they do not hinder the conservation objectives of the core area but rather help to protect it.  It can be an area for experimental research, for example to discover ways to manage natural vegetation, croplands, forests, fisheries, to enhance high quality production while conserving natural processes and biodiversity.  It may accommodate education, training, tourism and recreation facilities.

Area of cooperation : It may contain a variety of agricultural activities, human settlements and other uses. It is here that the local communities, conservation agencies, scientists, civil associations, cultural groups, private enterprises and other stakeholders must agree to work together to manage and sustainably develop the area's resources for the benefit of the people who live there.

It is important to note, however, that this zonation is applied in many different ways in the real world to accommodate geographical conditions, socio-cultural settings, available legal protection measures and local constraints. This flexibility can be used creatively and is one of the strongest points of the biosphere reserve concept.

Ownership arrangements may vary too. The core areas of biosphere reserves are mostly public lands, but may also be privately owned or belong to non-governmental organizations.

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