Monday, July 22, 2013

The Biosphere Reserve in the Canary Islands

The concept of Biosphere Reserve was created about 50 years ago with the aim of selecting places on our planet where there is a sustainable development, i.e. places that are in harmony with civilization and with a respectable use of natural resources. 

In 2011 the total number of countries under the Biosphere Reserve was 110 and 563. 




The requirements to enter the Biosphere Reserve are: 
1. Contain natural and cultural values ​​of interest. 
2. Having the appropriate economic and social conditions to have sustainable development. 
3. Having protected natural areas. 
4. Have a sufficient extent to develop the 3 main functions: conservation, development and logistic support. 

The CanaryIslands that are part of the reserve are: La Palma, Lanzarote, El Hierro and Gran Canaria. 
In La Palma the following features have been key for the development and zoning process to name the whole island a Biosphere Reserve. 


·                    The National Park Caldera de Tabueriente. 
·                    A Natural Areas Network. 
·                    A Nature Network that connects the natural habitat and the habitat of species. 
·                    The existence of a plan for Natural Resource Management. 
·                    The existence of a Fishing Marine Reserve. 


Font: Troovel.com / Caldera de Taburiente


The island of Lanzarote is a Biosphere Reserve named some years after island of La Palma. But Lanzarote adds a new component: "for the first time a territory as a whole, including all of its population centers, is listed by UNESCO as Biosphere Reserve, the perfect coexistence between man and nature on this island is the main reason for this outstanding appointment. 


Font: Noticias.lainformacion.com


El Hierro, fully sustainable, is an island of 278km square and a population of 10,400 inhabitants. It is a paradise for diversity in its landscapes, as well as cultural and natural wealth. 


Fuente: luis-cualquierdia.blogspot.com


In the island of Gran Canaria, the Reserve accounts for 46% of the island toward the south and center of the island, as well as the marine reserve. Its flora and fauna in addition to its good balance between man and environment have made Gran Canaria part of this exclusive enclave development. 


Font: viaje.info


The purpose of UNESCO is to target those places that coexist in harmony and turn them into models, a luxury that 4 out of our 7 islands are part of, with this unique and friendly name. 

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