COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION ON BIOSPHERE RESERVES

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Since 1971, when MAB - Man and Biosphere Program was launched in Unesco, our researches have focused on "Biosphere Reserves." Our definition for "Biosphere Reserves" is : a common "ground," which intrinsic value is internationally recognized, and which provides chances to deepen scientific knowledge and technology, and human value that support sustainability. They are typical continental zones and coastal environments under protection. In Japan, four places were recognized in 1981, as such areas : Shiga Highlands, Shirayama, Odaigahara / Omine-san, and Yakushima.In this research, we focused on the recovery of the ecosystem in national biosphere reserves, and conducted periodical individual investigations in the ecological environment of each area ; by comparing their results with the original conditions at the time it was certified, we are discovering environmental alterations and human influences on these areas. Also, another investigation involving inhabitants was realized in order to identify conditions of land use in concerned areas. Based on these investigations, a general review of national biosphere reserves was conceived and reported to Unesco aiming at contributing from now on to our principle of protecting and applying the concerned areas.Information on results attained from our investigation research in this stage and reported to Unesco, was also presented in the Unesco National MAB Committee Annual Report (March 1998 and February 1999). The review demanded by Unesco / MAB International Regulatory Committee contains comprehensive data on ecosystems degradation by natural disasters and by human factors and their recovery, and data investigated on aspects of the flora and fauna. This review will be also included in this report.