Grasshopper no 1, Winter '93

THE BIOSPHERE RESERVES

In 1971 a scheme was launched by UNESCO called "Man and Biosphere" (MAB) in which a team of ecologist were to appoint to deal with a wide range of projects, one of these was to decide on which areas could be officially recognized as "biosphere reserves". These reserves included land and sea areas with typical eco-systems.

In a biosphere reserve such environment managing ways should be developed that both human needs are met and the biological resources and processes are preserved.

The biosphere reserve is composed of three different zones. where different. The central (core) zone is an area where a strict policy of protection is maintained, the buffer zone receives partial protection and the transitional zone receives a lower degree of protection.

In 1990 there were 285 strict biosphere reserves in 72 countries. The populations, ecological processes and biological diversity of biosphere reserves are constantly being monitored.

THE GLOBAL IMPORTANCE

The biosphere reserves function is to conserve the representative genetic matrix of planet. The protection zones may provide the generic material in the form of seeds, ovules, sperm or tissue and various bits of information on the organisms and ecosystems as well. Thanks to this they may play an important role in the development of new biotechnology's.

The botanical gardens and gender banks contributed to the modernization of farming. However, there is a necessity to protect species in their natural habitat. So far we have learnt about only a little part of all the living species of plants and animals and their number and diversity is diminishing at a terrifying rate. A significant part of species will disappear before they are explored and could be exploited.

THE INTERNATIONAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE
IN THE EASTERN CARPATIAN MOUNTAINS

On September 27th 1993 in Ustrzyki Dolne a "Protocol on the cooperation in creating the International Biosphere Reserve in the Eastern Carpatian Mountains" was signed by the Polish Republic Minister for the Protection of the Environment, Natural Resources and Forestry, The Minister - Chairman of the Slovak Commission for the Environment and the Minister for the Environmental Protection of the Ukraine. In the protocol, the ministers resolved to undertake actions towards the creation of areas which will meet the conditions for a world biosphere reserve. They also resolved to ensure scientific research for the conservation and reconstruction o the Eastern Carpatians ecosystems. The area of the future biosphere reserve is to cover about 90 thousand hectares.

B.K.
trans. Marcin Chyla