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Biosphere Reserves

Real-life laboratories for a green future

UNESCO biosphere reserves are natural or cultural landscapes serving as model regions for sustainable development. Biosphere reserves are particularly well suited to balancing exploitation by humans and nature conservation efforts on a sustainable basis.

Horn bills in the Ethiopian morning mist

Horn bills in the Ethiopian morning mist - photo: Abdurazak Sahile

UNESCO biosphere reserves are natural or cultural landscapes recognised by UNESCO as model regions for sustainable development. Biosphere reserves are particularly well suited to balancing exploitation by humans and nature conservation efforts on a sustainable basis. The acceptance into the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is an important step towards the conservation of outstanding cultural and natural sites, while at the same time the economic development of the local people is promoted.

In Ethiopia, the concept has been in use since 2010, when the country’s first biosphere reserves were set up. NABU has been playing a key role in introducing and implementing it, for instance the Kafa Biosphere Reserve (link aus Kurztext) and Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve (ebenso Link Kurztext), since 2006. Ever since, NABU is supporting the administrative management, ecosystem restoration and development of local value chains in these reserves and supports two others.
At Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve (link Kurztext) NABU is working towards forest landscape restoration (hier später Link zu Forests for future), while at Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (link Kurztext) NABU is about to start a project on coffee forest restoration and coffee value chain enhancement (hier spatter link zu Yayu coffee project).


NABU’s work in these biosphere reserves is based on...

➣ community-management for ecosystem restoration and participatory resource management novation
➣ sustainable development fostering local value chains for instance on coffee and skills of indigenous groups or ecotourism
➣ capacity building, education and support to civil society organisations for improved biosphere reserve management and landscape conservation and restoration
➣ biodiversity assessments, monitoring in collaboration with science partners and species conservation programmes

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Schmetterling - Foto: Bruno D'Amicis
Kafa Biosphere Reserve

The Kafa Zone still boasts large, overlapping areas of mountainous afromontane cloud forest. The region is one of the 36 “Biodiversity Hotspots” worldwide and is therefore of global significance for conservation. Around 100 woody plant and many bird and mammal species are recorded. more →

Wild coffee beans.
Coffee-novation

Kafa Biosphere Reserve is challenged by the lack of sustainable employment and innovation for green development and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The consortium aims at structuring the up to now non-commercialised garden coffee value chain. more →

Hippos! The Lake Tana Watershed has a diverse wildlife - photo: Bruno D/'Amicis
Water for Life

The largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana, is a source of life for 4 million people in the region. Over the course of the last decade, however, the consequences of increased industrialization and development have been posing a threat to this vital water supply. more →

The pristine and unexploited forests of the Sheka Biosphere Reserve. Its rivers and waterfalls are potential destinations for ecotourist - Photo: NABU/Mathias Putze
Sheka and Yayu – NABU’s expertise

Biosphere reserves are natural or cultural landscapes recognised by UNESCO as model regions for sustainable development. They balance conservation and land-use interests, as humans depend on intact ecosystems and their services. more →

related topics

Lake Tana Tisisat falls along the Blue Nile - photo: Bruno D'Amicis

Protected Areas

NABU supports the creation, establishment and effective management of protected areas as part of our international activities.

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hands gently touching crops

Regional Development

NABU is comitted to promoting sustainable regional development worldwide. Our international projects aim at balancing economy, ecology and social equality

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