what is biosphere reserve

Biosphere reserves are protected areas meant for the conservation of plants and animals, as well as the traditional life of the tribes living in that vicinity. They are identified by the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program to promote sustainable development, which was initiated by UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere reserves are "learning places for sustainable development" and are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. They encourage research into biodiversity loss, climate change, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development, and develop solutions relevant to local cultures and environments. Biosphere reserves promote solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use, and they are learning areas for sustainable development under diverse ecological, social, and economic contexts, touching the lives of more than 250 million people. There are currently 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites, that belong to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.