Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal
ecosystems,
promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of
biodiversity
with its sustainable use.
They are internationally recognized by the UNESCO
MaB Program,
nominated by national governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states
where they are located. Today, the World Biosphere Network is made up of
482
sites in 102 countries.
The
Brazilian Biosphere Network was created in 1995 and contains actually
six
Biosphere Reserves:
Mata Atlântica including the
São Paulo City Green Belt,
Pantanal,
Amazon,
Cerrado,
Caatinga
and the Espinhaço Range.
The
Atlantic
Rainforest
/ (
Mata Atlântica)
was designated the first Brazilian Biosphere Reserve by
UNESCO in 1992. With circa 300.000 sqkm, it is after North - East Greenland in Denmark, the second
largest biosphere reserve on Earth. It contains 4 of the 7
Brazilian Natural
World Heritage Sites
and circa 600 of the 900
conservation units.
