Isle of Man Biosphere
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General Description
UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man became the 1st entire jurisdiction in the world approved by the MAB International Coordinating Council as a Biosphere Reserve, in March 2016.
The area has a rich natural beauty and cultural heritage, a strong farming and maritime tradition and a distinctive sense of identity amongst its diverse population. The Manx language is enjoying a renaissance. The economy has now become remarkably diverse.
The terrestrial core areas include areas of statutory conservation designation, and the marine core areas comprise six Marine Protected Areas. The terrestrial buffer zone outside of statutorily protected land is made up of all land outside of the core and urban areas. The marine buffer zone comprises the 0-3 nautical mile zone round the Island outside the Marine core areas (below mean high water mark), as agreed with the Manx Fish Producer’s Organisation. Urban land, comprising the largest towns and villages and their development boundaries, makes up the terrestrial transition area. The marine transition area covers the seas between 3 and 12 nautical miles (5.6 and 22.2km respectively) from the shoreline.
What goes on there?
The use and enjoyment of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man is diverse. The countryside is farmed, with sheep, beef and dairy cows, as well as arable areas. The sea is harvested for shellfish. Tourism focuses on the distinctive island culture and landscape.
“UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man” will visibly demonstrate sustainable economic development through showing how a vibrant community, healthy ecosystems and a thriving, modern, diverse economy can coexist and complement each other. The overall aim is to see the Isle of Man become an even better place for people and nature: the more our community gets involved, the more we can help the Island to stay special.
Three technical aims:
1) Conservation; taking care of our remarkable landscapes, wildlife, culture, heritage and communities,
2) Development; improving our infrastructure and economy in ways that respect and support our unique environment,
3) Knowledge, learning and awareness; Helping more people to understand what makes the Island so special and encouraging active involvement in keeping it that way.
What makes it unique?
The whole area is under the administration of the Isle of Man Government and the people that live here.
The use and enjoyment of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man is diverse. The countryside is farmed, with sheep, beef and dairy cows, as well as arable areas. The sea is harvested for shellfish. Tourism focuses on the distinctive island culture and landscape.
Where is it?
The Isle of Man is situated in the centre of the Irish Sea. Its land mass is 572 sq km with a population of 84,500 (census 2011). The Isle includes spectacularly beautiful and varied coastline of cliffs, stacks, islets and long beaches and fine views of the central hills to a high point of 621 m at Snaefell.
Biosphere Isle of Man extends out into the Irish Sea to cover all of the Isle of Man’s territorial waters, a total of 3998 square kilometres of the Irish Sea.
Factfile
Size
Total Area (ha): 457,000
Core area(s): 15,398
Buffer zone(s): 114,670
Transition area(s) : 326,932
Major ecosystems and land cover types comprise: Shallow marine ecosystem , Upland heath and moorland, Semi-natural lowland grassland, Lowland heathland and mire, Wooded glens, Wetland, Built-up areas (urban greenspace). The sea bed has areas of great richness, horse mussel and Sabellaria reefs and maerl and seagrass beds, many of which are protected in the Ramsey Bay Marine Nature Reserve.
History UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man became the 1st entire jurisdiction in the world approved by the MAB International Coordinating Council as a Biosphere Reserve, in March 2016.
Protection Classification
National Nature Reserve, Marine Nature Reserve, Special Protected Area, Area of Special Protection, Ramsar Site
UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man became the 1st entire jurisdiction in the world approved by the MAB International Coordinating Council as a Biosphere Reserve, in March 2016.
The area has a rich natural beauty and cultural heritage, a strong farming and maritime tradition and a distinctive sense of identity amongst its diverse population. The Manx language is enjoying a renaissance. The economy has now become remarkably diverse.
The terrestrial core areas include areas of statutory conservation designation, and the marine core areas comprise six Marine Protected Areas. The terrestrial buffer zone outside of statutorily protected land is made up of all land outside of the core and urban areas. The marine buffer zone comprises the 0-3 nautical mile zone round the Island outside the Marine core areas (below mean high water mark), as agreed with the Manx Fish Producer’s Organisation. Urban land, comprising the largest towns and villages and their development boundaries, makes up the terrestrial transition area. The marine transition area covers the seas between 3 and 12 nautical miles (5.6 and 22.2km respectively) from the shoreline.
What goes on there?
The use and enjoyment of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man is diverse. The countryside is farmed, with sheep, beef and dairy cows, as well as arable areas. The sea is harvested for shellfish. Tourism focuses on the distinctive island culture and landscape.
“UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man” will visibly demonstrate sustainable economic development through showing how a vibrant community, healthy ecosystems and a thriving, modern, diverse economy can coexist and complement each other. The overall aim is to see the Isle of Man become an even better place for people and nature: the more our community gets involved, the more we can help the Island to stay special.
Three technical aims:
1) Conservation; taking care of our remarkable landscapes, wildlife, culture, heritage and communities,
2) Development; improving our infrastructure and economy in ways that respect and support our unique environment,
3) Knowledge, learning and awareness; Helping more people to understand what makes the Island so special and encouraging active involvement in keeping it that way.
What makes it unique?
The whole area is under the administration of the Isle of Man Government and the people that live here.
The use and enjoyment of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man is diverse. The countryside is farmed, with sheep, beef and dairy cows, as well as arable areas. The sea is harvested for shellfish. Tourism focuses on the distinctive island culture and landscape.
Where is it?
The Isle of Man is situated in the centre of the Irish Sea. Its land mass is 572 sq km with a population of 84,500 (census 2011). The Isle includes spectacularly beautiful and varied coastline of cliffs, stacks, islets and long beaches and fine views of the central hills to a high point of 621 m at Snaefell.
Biosphere Isle of Man extends out into the Irish Sea to cover all of the Isle of Man’s territorial waters, a total of 3998 square kilometres of the Irish Sea.
Factfile
Size
Total Area (ha): 457,000
Core area(s): 15,398
Buffer zone(s): 114,670
Transition area(s) : 326,932
Major ecosystems and land cover types comprise: Shallow marine ecosystem , Upland heath and moorland, Semi-natural lowland grassland, Lowland heathland and mire, Wooded glens, Wetland, Built-up areas (urban greenspace). The sea bed has areas of great richness, horse mussel and Sabellaria reefs and maerl and seagrass beds, many of which are protected in the Ramsey Bay Marine Nature Reserve.
History UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man became the 1st entire jurisdiction in the world approved by the MAB International Coordinating Council as a Biosphere Reserve, in March 2016.
Protection Classification
National Nature Reserve, Marine Nature Reserve, Special Protected Area, Area of Special Protection, Ramsar Site
