MAB

UNESCO – MAB Programme (Man and the Biosphere)

As a result of the first Biosphere Conference, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched the intergovernmental scientific Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) in 1970. The programme emphasized the importance of establishing a balance between biodiversity conservation and the developmental needs of local communities. As part of the programme, in 1974, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves was established. These are internationally recognized areas that promote solutions for a harmonious relationship between biodiversity protection and its sustainable use.

The MAB Programme integrates the practical application of natural and social sciences to encourage research on biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development—all with the goal of improving human livelihoods while conserving natural ecosystems.

In line with the programme's objectives, biosphere reserves include local communities and all relevant stakeholders in planning and management, fulfilling three core functions:

• Conservation function – contributes to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity
• Development function – fosters economic and social development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable
• Logistic function – provides support for research, monitoring, education, and information exchange related to conservation and sustainable development

Velebit was the first biosphere reserve in Croatia, designated in 1978, just four years after the global biosphere reserve network was established. The Velebit mountain area is of exceptional value, with a high level of biological, geological, and cultural diversity throughout its entire 145 km length and 10–30 km width.

The first zoning of the Velebit Mountain Biosphere Reserve was carried out in 2012 in accordance with the MAB Programme structure, which consists of:

• Core areas
• Buffer zones
• Transition zones

The core area must be legally protected, contains the most ecologically valuable regions, and is intended for scientific research and monitoring. It corresponds to existing protected areas such as national parks (Northern Velebit NP and Paklenica NP), strict nature reserves (Rožanski and Hajdučki kukovi), and isolated zones within the Velebit Nature Park.

The buffer zone surrounds the core area and protects it from adverse impacts. It corresponds to the current boundaries of the Velebit Nature Park. Economic activities and the sustainable use of ecosystem services are permitted here, subject to conservation measures.

The transition zone consists mainly of inhabited areas surrounding the buffer zone and extends across two counties (Lika-Senj and Zadar). This zone is dedicated to educational activities and the promotion of sustainable development within the broader context of economic growth.