Supporting biosphere reserves as laboratories for sustainable development
Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is hosting the first international research conference on biosphere reserves, which is currently taking place in Brandenburg. University President Prof Dr Matthias Barth announces the application as a UNESCO partner institute.
UNESCO launched the "Man and Biosphere" programme 50 years ago and created the idea of biosphere reserves, in which new approaches to nature-based sustainable development were to be sought as models. There are now almost 730 biosphere reserves or biosphere parks worldwide, and the idea is more relevant than ever in view of the global ecosystem crisis. The biosphere reserves are connected to each other in a global network and are closely linked to applied science. The research conference (16 to 20 May 2022), which is being hosted by the Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI), a scientific institution of HNEE, will focus on the question of how research can contribute even more actively to the effectiveness of biosphere reserves. The focus is no longer purely on biological topics, but above all on people and their role in overburdened ecosystems.
Over 100 scientists and practitioners from almost 50 countries are taking part in the conference. They will report on regional challenges, solution-orientated research work and joint projects with society. "We are pioneers who are breaking new ground," said Prof Dr Vera Luthardt, biologist and scientific co-director of the BRI, in her welcoming address on Tuesday evening. Global challenges can only be overcome together. "This conference aims to further develop the scientific basis by learning from and with each other. We want to be a driving force for progress in this important area," emphasised University President Prof. Dr Matthias Barth in his opening speech.
Research in and with biosphere reserves has long been an important part of HNEE's work. Eberswalde scientists are active at home and abroad, have established a global network and founded the Institute for Biosphere Reserves in 2019. "We want to focus our own work more strongly on these biosphere reserves and are offering to support these unique laboratories of sustainable development through teaching, training, consulting and research," explains Prof Dr Pierre Ibisch, Scientific Co-Director of the BRI and Professor of Nature Conservation in Eberswalde.
"The BRI epitomises what we at HNEE want to be in general: an important hub in a larger network," praises University President Barth. As a result, the university now wants to go one step further to increase the visibility and importance of its work in biosphere reserves. "In March 2022, we applied for the status of a UNESCO partner institute. We now hope that UNESCO will assess all of our activities and that a decision will be made during the General Conference in 2023 to award us this status."
Awarding of the Magda Staudinger Prize
On Tuesday evening, the German UNESCO Commission honoured four young researchers for their scientific achievements. The awards are endowed with 500 euros each, funded by Danone Waters Germany. The award is being presented on the 25th anniversary of the death of Dr Magda Staudinger, who provided significant impetus for the establishment of the UNESCO programme for biosphere reserves in the 1960s and 1970s. This year's award winners, categorised by research field, are
- Biodiversity and Climate Change
Amar Maruf (Indonesia): Exploring the Potential Role of Patron-Client Relationship on Social Resilience to Climate Change Impacts and Risks among Small Scale Sama Bajau Fishermen in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia
- Innovative and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (Innovative and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources)
Eduardo Luna (Mexico): Interorganizational comparison of evaluation use in a biosphere reserve
- Sustainable societies and economies (Sustainable societies and economies)
Dr Divya Rajeswari Swaminathan (India): Agricultural transformation among the Soliga indigenous people: A Case study from Sathyamangalam Forests, India
- Ecosystem Services (Ecosystem Services)
Recca Sajorne (Philippines): Micro and macro plastic litter pollution along sandy beaches in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines
Background to the work of the Institute for Biosphere Reserves
The BRI was founded in 2019 to promote education, research and training. Its work focuses on the UNESCO programme "Man and the Biosphere (MAB)" and international networking with stakeholders in this field. The BRI wants to become a centre of excellence for biosphere reserves worldwide and therefore submitted an application to become a UNESCO partner institution in March 2022. This makes it one of the first institutes to apply for this status after the admission criteria were significantly tightened, and only the second institute in Germany.