Review of UK Biosphere Reserves

Martin F Price
Fraser MacDonald
Ian Nuttall

     

Environmental Change Institute
University of Oxford

 Report to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

The opinions expressed in this report are those of the contractor and do not necessarily coincide with those of those of the Department.

This document was researched during 1997 and published by the UK MAB Committee in 1998 as its Periodic Review of Biosphere reserves in the UK. The information was accurate at the time the document was originally published.

Contents

Executive Summary
Background and context
        Objectives of the study
Evolution of the biosphere reserve concept
        The 1970s: An emphasis on conservation, science, and education
        The 1980s: Strengthening linkages between conservation and development
        The 1990s: Finding a balance between conservation and sustainable development
History of UK biosphere reserves
Comparison of functions and criteria of biosphere reserves with those of UK, European, and global conservation designations and UK schemes
        Core area
        Buffer zone
        Transition area
Application of the Seville criteria in the UK; sustainable use and the
involvement of local communities
Applicability of the biosphere reserve concept to existing UK biosphere reserves
        Braunton Burrows
        North Norfolk Coast
        Moor House / Upper Teesdale
        Dyfi / Cors Fochno
        Caerlaverock
        Cairnsmore of Fleet / Merrick Kells / Silver Flowe
        Taynish
        Rum
        Beinn Eighe
        Loch Druidibeg
Biosphere reserves in the UK: sites of excellence for conservation and sustainable development
Guidelines for the selection of new UK biosphere reserves

Appendix 1: References consulted for individual biosphere reserves
Appendix 2: Interviewees at individual biosphere reserves

List of Maps

U.K. Biosphere Reserves
Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve
North Norfolk Coast Biosphere Reserve
Moor House – Upper Teesdale Biosphere Reserve
Dyfi – Cors Fochno SSSI
Caerlaverock Biosphere Reserve
Cairnsmore of Fleet, Merrick Kells & Silver Flowe Biosphere Reserve
Taynish Biosphere Reserve
Rum Biosphere Reserve
Beinn Eighe Biosphere Reserve
Loch Druidibeg Biosphere Reserve

Acknowledgements

The preparation of this report has depended on inputs from a very large number of people. The authors would like to thank the members of the steering group for the project, and many others in the departments and agencies they represent, for providing information, documents, advice, and comments on the draft report. As is evident from Appendix 2, evaluations of the existing biosphere reserves were strongly dependent on information from many local people. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

 

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