NETWORK OF MOUNTAIN RESERVES

Empowering mountain communities through conservation and sustainable development

Biosphere Reserves around the world

474 Biosphere Reserves with mountain areas

There are 759 Biosphere Reserves in the world, of which 474 have mountain areas. 69 of them belong to the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves, 62 of which are national and 7 transboundary. Of the 69, 10 are World Heritage Sites and 5 are Geoparks.

In mountain reserves, the common biome is forest and it exists in 99% of the reserves. Wetlands can be found in 42% of the reserves and grasslands in 32%.

TERRITORY

8,5%

of the total area of the reserves

POPULATION

19,4%

of the population living in the BR

NATURAL HERITAGE

99%

the common biome is the Forest

2021, the year of the launch of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves

The creation of a thematic network of Biosphere Reserves located in mountainous areas was proposed in 2016 at the 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, held in Lima, Peru. In 2021, UNESCO’s MaB Program, together with the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), launched the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves.

The World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves aims to provide ongoing support to Biosphere Reserves through research, partnerships and strategic collaborations, enabling them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and climate and biodiversity agreements.

learn more about this network

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MOUNTAIN RESERVES IN PORTUGAL

Get to know the Portuguese Mountain Biosphere Reserves

The Gerês/Xurés and Meseta Ibérica Transboundary Biosphere Reserves are part of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves.

Find out more about the contribution of the Portuguese Mountain Reserves to the sustainability of our planet:

INSIGHTS

1 fotos

Portuguese Mountain Biosphere Reserves

Gerês/Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

The Gerês/Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, created in 2009, occupies the central area of the Gerês/Xurés mountain range, a region cut through by several rivers, forming a landscape of exceptional beauty with deep valleys running through the mountains. The influence of Atlantic, Mediterranean and continental climates in the region creates a diversity of microclimates responsible for an enormous diversity of species and habitats.

getting to know the Reserve

Meseta Ibérica Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

The Meseta Ibérica is Europe’s largest transboundary Biosphere Reserve, created in 2015. It covers 89 municipalities, 12 of which are Portuguese and 75 Spanish. The Reserve includes nature parks and classified areas of the Natura Network, which cover landscapes made up of mountains, plateaus, reservoirs, forests, lakes and rivers, combining natural and cultural heritage.

getting to know the Reserve