Periodic Review
A Periodic Review of how biosphere reserves are performing occurs every 10 years. The current process can be found here.
2019
Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere submitted its first full periodic review, which was approved in 2021 by the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme.
2016
North Devon Biosphere submitted its first full periodic review. In 2017, the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme approved it and commended it as a model for others to follow.
2014
Following the 2009 periodic review, the UK withdrew Taynish Biosphere Reserve from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2010.
The UK withdrew three further biosphere reserves after more in-depth consultation with stakeholders: Moor House and Upper Teesdale (2012), Loch Druidibeg.(2013), and North Norfolk (2014).
2009
The UK completed its most recent review of its biosphere reserves in early 2009. Phase one of the review looked at the potential of UK biosphere reserves to meet UK social, economic and environmental goals. Phase two looked at five of the eight UK biosphere reserves and assessed whether their activities and current status could be redeveloped and expanded to meet the new criteria, gauged local support to redesignate and considered withdrawal. Three biosphere reserves were not included within the review as they were very active and were currently meeting or on target to meet the criteria established for biosphere reserves in the 1996 Statutory Framework. The remaining five biosphere reserves were still formally members of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves, but had not been redeveloped in line with the 1996 criteria. They are therefore effectively ‘lapsed' biosphere reserves that need to be either redesignated or withdrawn from the network. The degree of local stakeholder engagement is a critical factor in this decision.
Phase one of the review highlighted that biosphere reserves can contribute to a range of UK social, economic and environmental objectives, but that the emphasis should be on quality and success rather than quantity.
Phase two of the review concluded that none of the 'lapsed' biosphere reserves currently meet the 1996 criteria but that all had the potential to do so, apart from Taynish in Scotland.
1998
The 1998 periodic review considered how the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves applied to the UK as well as how the concept of biosphere reserves compared to other designations across the UK and if there were any benefits to wildlife by adopting the biosphere reserve designation.
Review of UK Biosphere Reserves (1998)
From the conclusions of the report it was decided that Claish Moss and St. Kilda be withdrawn as they had no possibility of meeting the criteria of the Statutory Framework. It was also decided that the Isle of Rum and Caerlavaerock biosphere reserves should be withdrawn. The four biosphere reserves were withdrawn at the 17th Session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB ICC) in March 2002.
Other documents
Social, economic and environmental benefits of World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Geoparks (2007) Scottish National Heritage.
2019
Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere submitted its first full periodic review, which was approved in 2021 by the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme.
2016
North Devon Biosphere submitted its first full periodic review. In 2017, the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme approved it and commended it as a model for others to follow.
2014
Following the 2009 periodic review, the UK withdrew Taynish Biosphere Reserve from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2010.
The UK withdrew three further biosphere reserves after more in-depth consultation with stakeholders: Moor House and Upper Teesdale (2012), Loch Druidibeg.(2013), and North Norfolk (2014).
2009
The UK completed its most recent review of its biosphere reserves in early 2009. Phase one of the review looked at the potential of UK biosphere reserves to meet UK social, economic and environmental goals. Phase two looked at five of the eight UK biosphere reserves and assessed whether their activities and current status could be redeveloped and expanded to meet the new criteria, gauged local support to redesignate and considered withdrawal. Three biosphere reserves were not included within the review as they were very active and were currently meeting or on target to meet the criteria established for biosphere reserves in the 1996 Statutory Framework. The remaining five biosphere reserves were still formally members of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves, but had not been redeveloped in line with the 1996 criteria. They are therefore effectively ‘lapsed' biosphere reserves that need to be either redesignated or withdrawn from the network. The degree of local stakeholder engagement is a critical factor in this decision.
Phase one of the review highlighted that biosphere reserves can contribute to a range of UK social, economic and environmental objectives, but that the emphasis should be on quality and success rather than quantity.
Phase two of the review concluded that none of the 'lapsed' biosphere reserves currently meet the 1996 criteria but that all had the potential to do so, apart from Taynish in Scotland.
1998
The 1998 periodic review considered how the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves applied to the UK as well as how the concept of biosphere reserves compared to other designations across the UK and if there were any benefits to wildlife by adopting the biosphere reserve designation.
Review of UK Biosphere Reserves (1998)
From the conclusions of the report it was decided that Claish Moss and St. Kilda be withdrawn as they had no possibility of meeting the criteria of the Statutory Framework. It was also decided that the Isle of Rum and Caerlavaerock biosphere reserves should be withdrawn. The four biosphere reserves were withdrawn at the 17th Session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB ICC) in March 2002.
Other documents
Social, economic and environmental benefits of World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Geoparks (2007) Scottish National Heritage.
| br_periodic_review_-_price_park_bouamrane.pdf |
| 2002_pr_paper.pdf |
