What is a Biosphere?
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What is a Biosphere?
The simple definition is a: Portion of the Earth and its atmosphere
that can support life.
UNESCO Biospheres are reserves with areas of terrestrial
and coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof, which
are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO's
programme on Man
and the Biosphere (MAB).
These Biosphere Reserve areas are designated to promote solutions
to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable
use.
Nominated by national governments they remain under sovereign
jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Biosphere
reserves serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing
out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and
biodiversity.
Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil three basic functions,
which are complementary and mutually reinforcing:
1). Conservation function - to contribute to the conservation
of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;
2). Development function - to foster economic and human development
which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;
3). Logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring,
education and information exchange related to local, national
and global issues of conservation and development.
UNESCO stands for The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
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For further information
on the work of UNESCO visit thier website HERE |
What does it mean in relation to Bideford College?
The UNESCO Braunton
Burrows biosphere reserve was the UK's first designated Biosphere
area, it is situated in the estuary of the Taw and Torridge Rivers
in North Devon.
The Town of Bideford is situated within the Biosphere 'Buffer
Zone', an area adjacent to the protected area, on which land use
is partially restricted to give an added layer of protection to
the protected area itself while providing valued benefits to neighboring
rural communities.
It is this last relationship that provides the focus for the Colleges
involvement.
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Braunton Burrows Biosphere
Zones:
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Buffer Zone |
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Transition Zone |
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Biosphere |
Click Image to Enlarge |
The Biosphere:
Within Braunton Burrows a diversity of habitats is represented
here. The core area comprises an active dune system with geomorphological
and successional processes.
Other habitats include a rocky foreshore, mud and sand flats,
saltmarshes of various types, lowland farmland, grazing marsh,
coastal heath, back-shore marsh as well as woodlands.
As a result of the periodic review process in 2002, the Braunton
Burrows Biosphere Reserve has been completely revised and extended
by a consultation process among the local communities and the
conservation and development authorities.
It now encompasses a larger sector of the estuary of the Taw and
Torridge Rivers.
About 53,000 people live in the biosphere reserve (2002) who are
mainly engaged in services, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing.
Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve is a site where traditional
land use practices are still maintained today. Grazing by Soay
sheep and cattle on saltmarshes was practiced for more than a
century and still maintains the marshes in a condition suitable
for wintering wildfowl. Traditional local fishery harvests Atlantic
salmon sea trout and sea bass which are species that rely on the
site as part of their lifecycle.
Also mussel fishery and the harvest of ulva and laver are still
practiced in a traditional way.
A special focus is given to young people at the Braunton Community
College, located in the transition area, in order to make them
familiar with the biosphere reserve concept.
More Details:
Biosphere
Reserve In Focus:
Major ecosystem type:
Temperate broadleaf forests or woodlands including coastal/marine
component
Major habitats & land cover types: Visual
Guide HERE
Dune (fixed and mobile) characterized by Ammophila arenaria, Salix
spp., Juncus acutus, and Scirpus holoschoenus estuarine and saltmarsh
habitats with Atriplex portulacoides, Salicornia spp., Suaeda
martima etc.; low marsh and grazing marsh / floodplain including
Phragmites communis, Agrostis stolonifera, Juncus effusus, Lemna
gibba etc.; mixed farmland with Crataegus sp., Prunus sp., Fraxinus
sp., Cynosurus cristatus, Agrostis stolonifera etc.
What on earth do these
names mean? Visual Guide HERE
Location: 51°05'N; 04°24'W
Area: (hectares)
Total 14,177
Core area(s) 1,333
Buffer zone(s) 3,120
Transition area(s) when given 9,724 (of which marine: 3,468)
Altitude (metres above sea level) -1 to +150
Year designated 1976, extension 2002
Administrative authorities Christie Devon Estates own and
manage the Core Area.
Buffer and Transition area is Devon County Council through the Northern
Devon Coast and Countryside Service
Biosphere Links:
The Biosphere In Focus
Other
UK Biospheres
Northern
Devon Coast and Countryside Service
North
Devon AONB
Devon
Biodiversity Action Plan
The
UK's first biosphere reserve - BBC news Article
Biosphere
FAQ's
Image
Gallery
Braunton
Burrows description
Plant
Species List |
