The Man and the Biosphere Programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. It combines the natural and social sciences with a view to improving human livelihoods and safeguarding natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
Find out more about UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
Man and the Biosphere Programme in Curaçao
Biosphere reserves are 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). They are established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. Biosphere reserves are designated by the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme at the request of the State concerned. Individual biosphere reserves remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the State where they are situated. Collectively, all biosphere reserves form a World Network in which participation by States is voluntary.
Curaçao is working on the nomination of a Biosphere Reserve. Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO has been actively promoting the introduction and establishment of the Middle Curaçao Biosphere Reserve vision in the Country for the last 7 years. The Middle Curaçao Biosphere Reserve has been acknowledged as a biodiversity hotspot for its diversity of species, ecosystems and landscapes at a regional and global scale. The name is based on the Middle Curacao Formation, which originated through a reorganization of the geological features that were formed thus far, some 65 million years ago.
The “Middle-Curacao” beds occupy the western part of the central area of the island and consist of sandstone, shales and conglomerates.
Some areas within the Biosphere are even protected under the RAMSAR Convention and the EOP (Island Development Plan). These areas are of exceptional conservation scale, because they represent ecological systems that are rare, unique and diverse and is restricted to certain area which cannot be found throughout the whole island of Curaçao. The landscape of the proposed biosphere reserve contains exceptional mosaic of natural habitat of flora and fauna, genetic and species diversity.
These following ecological communities fulfil an important function of conservation:
Salt marshes, Xeric Scrubland, Tropical dry forests, Beaches, Coral reefs, Fresh water lakes, Mangrove, Hills, Rocky Shore and Caves. The coral reefs are of significance value regionally and internationally because they are becoming increasingly rare. Therefore, it is important to conserve and protect them as they serve as habitats, shelters, nurseries for numerous marine species which are globally threatened and endangered and these protect the coastline by reducing waves and storm.
Man and The Biosphere Commission
A Man and The Biosphere commision has been established and it consists of representatives from the governmental entities, private and NGO’s.