What are they for ?  Where are they ?  Man and nature Some difficult words

Map showing the Biosphere Reserves all over the world
© UNESCO

Click to zoom in on the map


Nature, cultural traditions and human activities are not the same on all continents. This diversity is what makes our planet so rich. However, the great ecological threats linked to man's activities are not limited by borders. Pollution, deforestation, and the destruction of habitats,... take place in all countries. All over the world, the balance between the natural environment and human society is under threat to a greater or lesser degree.

To protect this world-wide natural diversity, UNESCO has supported, to date, the creation of 394 biosphere reserves on all the continents, in 94 countries.

Sometimes, two countries a long way away from one another may have the same problem. In such circumstances, talking to each other, sharing information and working together to find a solution speeds things up. This is called networking. Biosphere reserves work together as a network, exchanging ideas and experiences to become more effective.

In France, there are now 10 biosphere reserves. Germany currently has 13 biosphere reserves.

How can Man threaten Nature ?
    Top of the page  
     

destruction of the forest by man

this is the space in which a species or a group of species lives. It contains all the elements and conditions they need to survive: food, rest and tranquillity so that they can reproduce.

this is an international organisation which promotes peace throughout the world by means of education, culture and science. Its head office is in Paris, France.