In 1998, a
review of the 13 biosphere reserves designated in the UK at that time, was commissioned by
the Department of Environment, Food and Agricultural Affairs (DEFRA). These reserves were
all national nature reserves, which were designated as biosphere reserves in
1976-77.
It was recognised that some of the biosphere
reserves which were originally nominated no longer matched the current criteria for
biosphere reserves. These criteria have naturally evolved since the inception of the
biosphere reserves concept. Review recommendations included a reduction in the number of
biosphere reserves in the UK to 8 in total (some being composite reserves made up of a
number of sites). A number of alterations to boundaries and to the extent of individual
reserves has also been recommended.
UK Biosphere Reserve in Focus -
Braunton Burrows
Braunton Burrows, which is a biosphere reserve
located in North Devon, has been expanded as a result of the recommendations of the
review. It now encompasses a larger section of the estuary of the rivers Taw and Torridge.
This biosphere reserve extension/revision was examined in 2002
by the Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves and approved by the MAB Bureau on 6-8
November 2002.
More on Braunton
Burrows
Book Review
- Biosphere Reserves (UNESCO) |