Biosphere reserve of Südost-Rügen

A model region

The Paradigm

Biosphere reserves are model regions designed to strike a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.

The UNESCO biosphere reserves serve as „living“ laboratories“ in which alternative models of coexistence between man and nature are developed and tested. The reserves are designed to protect cultural landscapes from misuse and to foster valuable and sustainable habitats for both man and nature.  Scientific research conducted in biosphere reserves can provide insights into the interrelationships between natural and socio-economic processes (Approved by the members of EUROPARC Deutschland, March 2002).

Biosphere reserves have three main aims:

- conservation of biodiversity – to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation

 - sustainable development – to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable

- support for logistics – to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to issues of conservation and development