Spain has more UNESCO biosphere reserves than any other country in the world.
The 55 sites include three which are shared with Portugal and another with Morocco.
The highest concentration is found in the Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) in the regions of Asturias, Castilla y León and Galicia.
Castilla y León has no fewer than 10, with one shared with Asturias, which is the Picos de Europa mountain range.
Asturias has seven, with another shared with Galicia, named the Río Eo, Oscos y Terras de Burón.
Galicia also boasts seven, two of which are shared, with part of the Gêres-Xures reserve falling in Portugal.
Down south, Andalucía has nine, with familiar names such as Doñana and the Sierra Nevada on the list along with the Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas natural park, Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park and the Sierra de las Nieves, etc.
The Valencia region has just one; the Alto Turia, and that is shared with Castilla La Mancha.
And, surprisingly, Aragón has only one, the vast area in the Pyrenees which spans the sumptuous zones of Ordesa – Viñamala.
The Canaries bag seven and Madrid region has two, with the remainder spread out around the other regions.
What are biosphere reserves?
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
The reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’, says UNESCO.
The idea is to ‘reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use’.
“They are places that provide local solutions to global challenges.”
The three main functions, according to UNESCO, are the conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity; promoting economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable; and logistic support underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training
The core of the reserve ‘comprises a strictly protected zone that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation’.
Buffer zones surround or adjoin the core areas and are used for activities compatible with ‘sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education’.
The transition area is where communities foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities, says UNESCO.
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