How are Biosphere Reserves selected?
Biosphere reserves cover the great variety of natural areas of the biosphere, going from high mountains to greatly human-impacted plains, from coastal regions and islands to vast inland forests, from the deserts of the tropics to the tundra of the polar regions. To qualify for designation as a biosphere reserve, an area should normally: be representative of a major biogeographic region, including a gradation of human intervention in these systems; contain landscapes, ecosystems or animal and plant species, or varieties which need to be conserved; provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate approaches to sustainable development within the larger region where they are located; be of an appropriate size to serve the three functions of biosphere reserves mentioned above; have an appropriate zoning system, with a legally constituted core area or areas, devoted to long-term protection; a clearly identified buffer zone or zones and an area of cooperation.National MAB Committees or focal
