What is a Biosphere Reserve?
Biosphere reserves are areas which involve terrestrial, marine and coastal environments. Each reserve supports solutions integrating the conservation of biodiversity with its appropriate use.
Scientifically, Biosphere reserves are sustainability support sites which are particular places for trying out disciplinary approaches to figure out and manage the changes between social and ecological systems and interactions between them, including the prevention of Biodiversity.
These areas are recognized internationally, nominated by national governments and stay under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states. Biosphere reserves act as living laboratories for testing and exhibit integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. Collectively, Biosphere forms a world network, i.e. the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), which facilitates information and experience. There are more than 500 biospheres in over 100 countries.
Functions of Biospheres
A biosphere is intended to fulfil three basic functions
Conservation Function –For the conservation of landscapes, Ecosystems, and species.
Development Function – To encourage economic and human development, which is ecologically sustainable.
Logistic Function – Provides support for research, education and information related to global issues and development.
What are Biosphere Reserve Zones?
Biosphere reserve zones are organized into three interlinked zones
Core Area
Core Area is the only one which requires legal protection and hence corresponds to a secured area. This zoning scheme is flexible and can be used creatively. It is one of the strongest points of the biosphere concept and facilitates the integration of protected areas into a broad landscape.
Buffer Area
The buffer zone surrounds core areas and is used for activities which are compatible with scientific research, training, and education.
Transition Area
The transition area is a part of the reserve where the greatest activities are enabled and promotes economic and human development that are socially sustainable.
Benefits of Biosphere Reserve
The concept of a biosphere reserve concept can be applied to guide and construct projects to enhance human life and ensure environmental stability.
It spreads awareness among local people and government authorities on environmental issues. It attracts additional funding from various sources. Biosphere reserves serve as ‘learning places’ to demonstrate approaches to conservation and development.
Visit Byju’s to know more about biosphere reserves and get detailed solutions to the chapter questions provided in the NCERT textbook for Conservation of Plants and Animals. You can also take tests on the concept to evaluate your depth of understanding of the chapter.
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