- Lake Vänern Archipelago and Mount Kinnekulle is well fulfilling the criteria for a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Many different stakeholders have been active during the process, which is based on strong local and regional participation. This is the basic necessity for a successful biosphere reserve, says Andreas Carlgren, Minister of Environment. The nomination form can now be sent to Paris. UNESCO may give the area the official status as a Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere Reserves can be seen as experimental workshops for local sustainable development. Just today the Biosphere office for Lake Vänern Archipelago and Mount Kinnekulle was inaugurated in Mariestad. It is encouraging that efforts locally and regionally continues pending UNESCO processing the application.
Background
Man and the Biosphere program is a concept that stresses the relationship between humans and the natural and cultural landscape. The approach to link human needs to the use of natural ecosystems and environmental issues, have been manifested by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ecosystem Approach. It is also expressed through the concept of sustainable development.
There are several purposes of a biosphere reserve. Biodiversity should be preserved while social and economic development benefits. A biosphere reserve should also be an arena for science, research and education.
These are the three main tasks of a biosphere reserve:
- Conservation function: to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation,
- Development function: to promote economic development and social development that is sustainable,
- Logistic function: to serve as support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and environmental monitoring.
Sweden has previously only two biosphere reserves, Lake Torne area and Kristianstads Vattenrike.
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