Reviewing <scp>B</scp>iosphere <scp>R</scp>eserves globally: effective conservation action or bureaucratic label?

Coetzer, Kaera; Witkowski, E.T.F.; Erasmus, Barend

doi:10.1111/brv.12044

Cited by 102 publications

(113 citation statements)

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“…Such lived-in landscapes would correspond to large tracts of land where biodiversity conservation is practised in coherence with people living and working in the area and striving for sustainable livelihoods. Different models of living landscapes already exist, of which the Biosphere Reserve model is the best known (UNESCO, 1996;Batisse, 1997;Ishwaran et al, 2008, Coetzer et al, 2014Bridgewater, 2016;Reed, 2016).…”

Section: Parks Vol 231 March 2017mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Challenges of the Anthropocene for Biosphere Reserves

Stoll-Kleeman¹,

O’Riordan²

2017

PARKS

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This paper reviews how well Biosphere Reserves are prepared to respond to the challenges of the new era of the Anthropocene, including the expected breaching of some planetary boundaries. In this context, the endeavour of sustainable development requires critical re-examination and Biosphere Reserves should move further towards embracing more integrated and effective forms of sustainable livelihoods for their inhabitants. This means placing people even more at the heart of Biosphere Reserve policy and management, and enabling people to become pioneers and ambassadors for realizing effective sustainability in all Biosphere Reserves. This also means that Biosphere Reserves and related institutions have to work towards true integration of their ecological, social and economic potentials, and set up a framework of genuine sustainability governance. This paper widens the concept of Biosphere Reserves to provide creative transformation towards more liveable, sustainable landscapes as a global network. If this is achieved, it will be easier for Biosphere Reserves to pursue and nurture the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as their renewed central purpose.

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Section: Parks Vol 231 March 2017mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet South African Biosphere Reserves do not feature significantly in the national system of legislation and policies. In effect, each Biosphere Reserve is usually left to find its own ways to successfully make a difference through effective implementation of the MAB Programme (Coetzer et al, 2014;Pool-Stanvliet, 2014).…”

Section: Parks Vol 231 March 2017mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Challenges of the Anthropocene for Biosphere Reserves

Stoll-Kleeman¹,

O’Riordan²

2017

PARKS

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“…Within this context and with a particular focus on preservation and conservation, UNESCO launched the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 1971 (Ishwaran, Persic and Tri, 2008;Coetzer, Witkowski and Erasmus, 2014). The biosphere reserve (BR) concept emerged out of this framework for context-specific conservation in 1974 (Ishwaran, Persic and Tri, 2008), and two years later the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) was born (Ishwaran, 2009).…”

Section: Unesco Designated Biosphere Reservesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The three main functions of a BR are (UNESCO, 1996;Ishwaran, Persic and Tri, 2008;Coetzer Witkowski and Erasmus, 2014): -Conservation: preservation of ecosystems, landscape, species and genetic resources; -Logistic support: support projects, research and monitoring, environmental education; and -Development: foster sustainable economic and human development. To translate the three roles into practice, the MAB Programme structured the zoning of the BRs into three: the core, buffer and transition zone (UNESCO, 1996;Ishwaran, 2009) (see Figure 1).…”

Section: Unesco Designated Biosphere Reservesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosphere Reserves: An “Enabling Space” for Communities

Sacchetti¹

2017

JEOD

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This article considers the challenge of socio-economic development within biosphere reserves (BRs). How to achieve compatibility between human activities in BRs has not been considered in detail. Part of the issue is methodological; BRs have common aims, but greatly differ in terms of their contextual elements. We identify a number of "spaces" that differentiate BRs and organisational solutions that can be consistent with social and natural "justice". Social capital, the supporting values and links that determine the ability of community members to cooperate is seen as critical across the spatial dimension of our framework. The paper also explores a practice-based approach to assess emerging development themes and policy intervention applied in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam.

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“…In addition, flexibility in BR management and governance encourages the involvement of different stakeholders from a range of sectors that provides opportunities for developing the types of management needed to effectively implement the BR actions (Batisse, 1997;Francis, 2004;Edge and McAllister, 2009;UNESCO, 2010). The BR concept and its application has been continuously evolving over four decades (Price, 2002;Price et al, 2010;Ishwaran et al, 2012;Coetzer et al, 2014;Reed, 2016). Misunderstanding the concept of the BR model led to early nominated sites being purely PAs for conservation and research only (Goodier and Jeffers, 1981;Batisse, 1986Batisse, , 1990Brunckhorst, 1997;Ishwaran et al, 2008;Price et al, 2010;Coetzer et al, 2014;Bridgewater, 2016).…”

Section: Integrated Conservation and Development Under The World Netwmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing the management effectiveness of the biosphere reserve model: The case of Vietnam

Chu¹

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Vietnam allows the province and city authority some flexibility in interpreting the central policies and regulations that could benefit BR operation and management locally, the way this is interpreted varies with the commitment and engagement of the provincial leaders. Lack of true understanding ii of the BR approach coupled with unclear guidance on BR planning and management led to most of the management effort being paid to the conservation of the core PAs.Specific study of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve (KGBR) showed a similar operational "disconnect" between concept and practice as in most other BRs in Vietnam. Whilst major attention has been paid to compliance with the UNESCO Man the Biosphere rules, little effort and investment has been made in the practical implementation of the concepts they embody. Lack of public awareness and understanding, state-control based on a strong sectoral approach to BR planning and management hindered broader stakeholder participation. Weak engagement from provincial leader in BR governance limited cross-sectoral collaboration process for effective delivery BR mandate functions that differentiates BRs from the conventional conservation PA approach. The study found that external projects only have a temporary impact on operation of the KGBR because they often start with small, time-bound demonstration models which negatively condition the community attitude to the projects and by association the BR.Using Enhancing our Heritage Toolkit (EoH) developed by IUCN and UNESCO for evaluation of management effectiveness, the study found that while the KGBR has been operating for a decade, the management planning process has not been completed. While a management system was established in KGBR it has proved inadequate to the task in operation because of structural deficiencies in the BR Management Board, lack of trained staff with BR knowledge and no allocation of operational funding specifically for BR activities. There appears a difficulty to achieve desired outcomes. Due to the absence of an approved operational plan with a monitoring and evaluation system has meant that assessment of management effectiveness of the KGBR against the key performance indicators has not been possible.To improve performance and effectiveness of the BR model in Vietnam, BRs should have nationally legal recognition that provides legitimacy for setting up clear BR governance structure and cross sectoral collaboration, and increase funding opportunity from central government for BR delivery. Additionally, BR sustainability and effectiveness greatly depends on the implementation of appropriate, locally-based management solutions that need a strong stakeholder's awareness, and engagement for a stable and strong governance leadership based on a strategic participation and public-private stakeholder partnerships in planning, operating resource allocation and implementation.iii DECLARATION BY AUTHORThis thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another p...

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Reviewing Biosphere Reserves globally: effective conservation action or bureaucratic label?

Cited by 102 publications

References 59 publications

The Challenges of the Anthropocene for Biosphere Reserves

The Challenges of the Anthropocene for Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Reserves: An “Enabling Space” for Communities

Factors influencing the management effectiveness of the biosphere reserve model: The case of Vietnam

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