How are Biosphere Reserves named?
Juan Fernández island. Biosphere reserve . Photo: © Jardín Botánico de Viña del Mar
The naming of Biosphere Reserves is done by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), after the interested State submits its application form to the MAB International Coordinating Council, which then executes the criteria according to its Legal Framework.
Once it has been named, the reserve is internationally recognized under the sovereignty of the respective State, who must ensure that the exceptional characteristics leading to the nomination are met and maintained. Every ten years each reserve is submitted to a review of its management and maintenance.
One of the benefits of the Biosphere Reserve designation is the increased awareness among the local population and the governmental authorities regarding sustainable development, and they can be used as learning and experimentation sites. On the other hand, with the technical assistance of UNESCO experts, these sites can attract international sources of financing or motivate collaborative work among countries, as in the case of cross-border sites.
