Management and Issues of Biosphere Reserves in Asia Marielza Oliveira Director of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office and Representative to China, DPRK, Japan, Mongolia and ROK UNESCO Office Beijing 联合国教育、科学及文化组织 驻华代表处
The Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) develops the basis for the rational and sustainable use and conservation of environmental resources, and for improvement in the overall relationship between people and their environment. Ya Ding Biosphere Reserve China
The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme. Overview to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments. It took a new stance in ecosystem conservation by emphasizing the role of humans as a major environmental force. By combining the natural and social sciences with economics, education and capacity‐building, the MAB Programme has promoted the sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity and natural resources. Objective Feature Contribution
In practice, the MAB Programme is implemented in Biosphere Reserves (BRs). • The MAB Programme first conceptualized the idea of biosphere reserves in 1974. • MAB began designating areas as biosphere reserves in 1976. The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme Implementation
Biosphere Reserves Definition The BR concept has evolved from a conservation focus toward a higher degree of integration of the human element and related sustainable development activities. • UNESCO’s early definition of BRs was: “protected areas of representative terrestrial and coastal environments which have been internationally recognized for their value in conservation and in providing the scientific knowledge, skill and human values to support sustainable development.” • Now, BRs have reached a more sophisticated definition: “Biosphere Reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Biosphere Reserves are “Science for Sustainability” support sites – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.”
Three zones, one biosphere reserve! Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions: •The core area(s) comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation. •The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education. •The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socio‐culturally and ecologically sustainable. Biosphere Reserves Zonation living laboratories and models for sustainable development, through interdisciplinary research, demonstration and training in natural resources management
3 Functions: CONSERVATION of biodiversity and cultural diversity (ecosystems, species, genes) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Socio‐culturally and environmentally sustainable LOGISTIC SUPPORT Underpinning development through research, education/training Biosphere Reserves Functions
Biosphere Reserves • Chronologically, three main phases can be distinguished in the development of the programme, which are marked by two milestone events: • A fourth phase has now been launched with the adoption of the 2015‐2025 MAB Strategy, which highlights more explicitly the instrumental role of BRs in contributing to the achievement of the 2015‐2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Development (1) • the Seville conference in 1995, resulting in The Seville Strategy & The Statutory Framework of the World Network (2) • the Madrid meeting in 2008 resulting in the Madrid Action Plan (MAP).
Biosphere Reserves are system models; therefore, the management of Biosphere Reserves is based on the principle: SLIQ •The more titles that prove international recognition are gained, the more opportunities for investment in conservation and development are created. •Biosphere Reserves assume far more functions which therefore requires an inter‐sector coordination, share of benefits and responsibilities in natural resource management • the impacts of fragmentation as a result of industrial, agricultural development on biodiversity conservation • overall approach prior to in‐ depth analysis of relationships between components. System thinking Landscape Planning Quality economy Inter‐sector coordination
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) 686 biosphere reserves in 122 countries • over 735,000,000 hectares of terrestrial and marine area (Jan 2018) • More than 250 million people live in a biosphere reserve (Jan 2018) • All the major ecosystems types • A great variety of development contexts and agendas – central and local governments and civil societies are all involved
WNBR Mission: To ensure environmental, economic and social (including cultural and spiritual) sustainability through: building global capacity for the management of complex socio‐ecological systems, particularly through encouraging greater dialogue at the science‐policy interface; environmental education; and multi‐media outreach to the wider community. the development and integration of knowledge, including science, to advance our understanding of interactions between people and the rest of nature; the development and coordination of a worldwide network of places acting as demonstration areas and learning sites with the aim of maintaining and developing ecological and cultural diversity, and securing ecosystem services for human well‐being;
East Asia Biosphere Reserves Network EABRN
East Asia Biosphere Reserves Network ‐ EABRN • Since 1994 • Comprises China (34 BRs), DPRK (5 BRs), Japan (9 BRs), Kazakhstan (10 BRs), Mongolia (6 BRs), ROK (6 BRs) and Russia (17 BRs). • Objective: to foster cooperation and capacity‐building on various scientific, ecosystem and BRs management related issues, such as communication and visibility, ecotourism, green economy, climate change. • Secretariat provided by the UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, with funding provided by the Ministry of Environment of ROK.
Key Activities EABRN 1. Regional Network Meetings ‐ All 15 meetings, organized and held by each Member State ‐ To date, 4 meetings in China, 4 in Mongolia, 4 in ROK, 2 in Japan, 1 in Russia, 1 in Kazakhstan 2. Training Workshops and courses ‐ Every two years since 2004 ‐ Capacity building at site levels, exchange of information among site managers, networking ‐ Technical capacity building, such as GIS, management and governance of BRs 3. Cooperative Studies and Activities • Support for Cooperative Studies and Researches •Publications •Cooperative Researches and Regional Cooperation
Achivements Enhanced Regional Cooperation through Regular Network Meetings ‐ Cooperative Studies & Researches, Cooperative Initiatives, Cross‐ assessment of BRs, MOUs Capacity Building through Training Courses ‐ For BR site managers, on GIS application and other data collection and analysis methodologies Increased Status and Visibility of EABRN ‐ EABRN recognized as a success model by WNBR First Regional Cooperative Mechanism on Ecosystems in the East Asia ‐ Ongoing regional cooperation with multi‐stakeholder engagement, such as governments, academics and international organizations
The project “seeks to assist the DPRK biodiversity research and management community to update its knowledge and understanding of the state of the country's biodiversity with particular reference to rare and endangered species Biodiversity research, training and management in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Survey on the Conservation State of the Endangered and Rare Plants and Animals in DPR Korea 2014‐2015
Capacity building for the field environmental education at Mt. Myohyang Biosphere Reserve Eco‐tourism at Mt. Myohyang Nature Study at Mt. Myohyang
Photos of key activities Field survey at Mt. Myohyang Biosphere Reserve Discussion on writing of books Dissemination of questionnaires to tourists at the reception office for tour Assessment of the level of students’ understanding via questionnaires Dissemination of books published
Southeast Asia Biosphere Reserves Network SeaBRNet
Southeast Asia Biosphere Reserves Network ‐ SeaBRnet ‐ • Initiated in 1998 • Comprises Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam • Objective: to foster cooperation on various scientific, ecosystem and biosphere reserve management related issues, such as communication and visibility, ecotourism, partnership, green economy, governance, or climate change • Secretariat provided by the UNESCO Jakarta Office and funding provided by the Government of Japan since 2002 Indawgyi
11th SeaBRnet results • Held on 21 ‐ 25 May 2018 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with the theme "Biosphere Reserves: Exploring Local Solutions for Global Sustainability“, attended by 110 participants (40% women) • Special session of the Asia‐Pacific Biosphere Reserve Network (APBRN) with participation from MAB in Southeast Asia, the South and Central Asia MAB Network (SACAM), the East Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (EABRN) and the Pacific Man and Biosphere (PacMAB) • Results: • Understanding of national and site‐level MAB developments • Activities of individual biosphere reserves linked with national planning and priorities • Sharing of new initiatives in biosphere reserve monitoring and evaluation • Enhanced tools through which to communicate and share biosphere reserve experiences and achievements, through a dedicated MAB Communication Workshop during the meeting • Commitment to a range of further actions by participants and organizers http://www.unesco.org/new/en/jakarta/about‐this‐office/single‐view/news/southeast_asias_biosphere_reserves_share_local_solutions/
Green Development and Targeted Poverty Alleviation Good conservation of core zones of national parks, heritage zones, and ecology park or nature reserve will facilitate economic development, especially through ecotourism and culture tourism. Additionally, economic activities in th buffer zon s and transition zone will contribute to improvement of living standards and residents’ awareness of responsibilities. Accordingly, financial resources from tax collection will be available to fund conservation activities. BIOSHPERE RESERVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development focuses on the following basic contents: Sustainable Economy make sure an efficient investment in the buffer zone and the transition zone and high economic growth rate in the long run. Sustainable Environment along with strict conservation of core zones, it is necessary to introduce policies and guidelines on exploitation of appropriate natural resources, economic and efficient use of resources and protection of biodiversity. Natural resources include water, energies, agriculture and biodiversity Understanding the relationship between biosphere reserves and the issue of nature conservation and socio economic development
Sustainable development focuses on the following basic contents: Climate change Biosphere reserves need to adopt global principles and drastic measures to minimise dangers for the atmosphere and control negative impacts of climate change. Educating sustainable development is instrumental in the global campaign. Sustainable Cultural‐society economic growth accompanies poverty alleviation, increased welfare, social equalities and protection of national cultural identity. Natural disaster prevention and reduction Previous experiences and programs suggest that education has enormous eff ect on risks of natural disaster. Education and knowledge provide learners with strategies to help themselves and therefore reduce risks.
A key mission for UNESCO: supporting nations and peoples to… “Learn to live within the environmental limits of our planet, and to build a just, equitable and peaceful society” UNESCO Director‐General Mont Sorak Biosphere Reserve Republic of Korea