Categories
WOLLUMBIN BIOSPHERE RESERVE PROJECT
Biosphere Reserves are areas of land, littoral
and marine ecosystems which promote solutions to reconcile the conservation of
biodiversity with sustainable resource use. The CEC supports and is actively
engaged in the establishment of the Wollumbin Biosphere Reserve
Project.
WHAT IS A BIOSPHERE
RESERVE?
Biosphere Reserves are areas of land, littoral and marine ecosystems which promote solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable resource use.
Biosphere Reserves have three functions:
.
A Biosphere reserve is divided into three zones. The core, or relatively undisturbed area, the buffer zone and the human settlement area, known as the transition area.
.
CORE AREAS
Core areas are securely protected areas, such as national parks or reserves, where biological diversity can be conserved and researched. Other low impact uses, such as nature based recreation and education, are also encouraged.
The core area may be regarded as a benchmark against which to measure the impact of development occurring outside the core. For example, the core area may be compared with other areas in the monitoring of ground water levels, water quality and the effects of plant and animal diseases. Their role as a reference gives added purpose to these parks and reserves. The management of core areas is focused on retaining its viability and reducing threats.
BUFFER ZONES
Buffer zones adjoin core areas and help protect them. These areas are used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices and may include both public and privately owned property. Buffer zones often include agricultural or forested land, the productivity of which may increase by being involved in the Biosphere Reserve program. This program invites private landowners to voluntarily manage their land in sympathy with the core areas. Mutual benefits can be gained from cooperative management strategies, including protection of habitat and water catchments, improved fire control, reduced weed invasion, wildlife control and enhanced tourism, education and research programs.
WHY BE PART OF UNESCO's WORLD WIDE BIOSPHERE
RESERVE NETWORK?
Biosphere Reserves can help conserve the important naturalvalues of a region in two ways:
Firstly in core and buffer zones where development is restricted.
Secondly by insisting on a scientific basis for land and resource use where the principles of ecological sustainability are encouraged through education and incentives. Monitoring and feedback is used to detect deficiencies and direct remedies. Scientific knowledge becomes central to the dialogue between institutions and the community......Membership is voluntary.
Environmental problems are interconnected (systemic) and need to be tackled comprehensively. A biosphere reserve does not replace the existing or new environmental programs of Commonwealth, State and Local Governments, but provides a network and incentives for a more integrated community approach and enthusiasm for participation......Participation out of preference for mutual benefit.
Benefits Include:
* Respect for indigenous culture, habitat and ecosystems.
* Improved likelihood of government funding for the whole landscape, eg Evirofund.
* Promoting the global significance of the region.
* Improving communication and education networks with regional,national and international bodies including UNESCO and the other 425 Biosphere Reserve communities in 95 countries.
* Promoting partnerships and co-operation between differentsectors of the community e.g. research and industry.
* Improving research monitoring and feedback.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF A WOLLUMBIN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
* Broad community acceptance, cooperation and activeparticipation are essential to make the project a reality.
* Long term health and natural wealth for the many rather thanshort term money profits for the few
* Biosphere Reserve status demonstrates an aspirational idealtowards a common future that has to be ecologically sustainable. Actively embracing the practice of sustainability places us in the driver's seat rather than trailing along behind, increasingly confronted by problems.
* New and existing industries will benefit from this internationally recognised but locally driven program.
Biosphere Reserves are areas of land, littoral and marine ecosystems which promote solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable resource use.
Biosphere Reserves have three functions:
.
A Biosphere reserve is divided into three zones. The core, or relatively undisturbed area, the buffer zone and the human settlement area, known as the transition area.
.
CORE AREAS
Core areas are securely protected areas, such as national parks or reserves, where biological diversity can be conserved and researched. Other low impact uses, such as nature based recreation and education, are also encouraged.
The core area may be regarded as a benchmark against which to measure the impact of development occurring outside the core. For example, the core area may be compared with other areas in the monitoring of ground water levels, water quality and the effects of plant and animal diseases. Their role as a reference gives added purpose to these parks and reserves. The management of core areas is focused on retaining its viability and reducing threats.
BUFFER ZONES
Buffer zones adjoin core areas and help protect them. These areas are used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices and may include both public and privately owned property. Buffer zones often include agricultural or forested land, the productivity of which may increase by being involved in the Biosphere Reserve program. This program invites private landowners to voluntarily manage their land in sympathy with the core areas. Mutual benefits can be gained from cooperative management strategies, including protection of habitat and water catchments, improved fire control, reduced weed invasion, wildlife control and enhanced tourism, education and research programs.
WHY BE PART OF UNESCO's WORLD WIDE BIOSPHERE
RESERVE NETWORK?
Biosphere Reserves can help conserve the important naturalvalues of a region in two ways:
Firstly in core and buffer zones where development is restricted.
Secondly by insisting on a scientific basis for land and resource use where the principles of ecological sustainability are encouraged through education and incentives. Monitoring and feedback is used to detect deficiencies and direct remedies. Scientific knowledge becomes central to the dialogue between institutions and the community......Membership is voluntary.
Environmental problems are interconnected (systemic) and need to be tackled comprehensively. A biosphere reserve does not replace the existing or new environmental programs of Commonwealth, State and Local Governments, but provides a network and incentives for a more integrated community approach and enthusiasm for participation......Participation out of preference for mutual benefit.
Benefits Include:
* Respect for indigenous culture, habitat and ecosystems.
* Improved likelihood of government funding for the whole landscape, eg Evirofund.
* Promoting the global significance of the region.
* Improving communication and education networks with regional,national and international bodies including UNESCO and the other 425 Biosphere Reserve communities in 95 countries.
* Promoting partnerships and co-operation between differentsectors of the community e.g. research and industry.
* Improving research monitoring and feedback.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF A WOLLUMBIN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
* Broad community acceptance, cooperation and activeparticipation are essential to make the project a reality.
* Long term health and natural wealth for the many rather thanshort term money profits for the few
* Biosphere Reserve status demonstrates an aspirational idealtowards a common future that has to be ecologically sustainable. Actively embracing the practice of sustainability places us in the driver's seat rather than trailing along behind, increasingly confronted by problems.
* New and existing industries will benefit from this internationally recognised but locally driven program.