Periodic Review
Periodic review of how biosphere reserves are performing occurs every 10 years.
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, economical 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 delisting. Three biosphere reserves were not included within the review as they were very active and were currently meeting or on target to meet the new criteria established for biosphere reserves. 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 new biosphere reserves criteria. They are therefore effectively ‘lapsed' biosphere reserves that need to be either redesignated or withdrawn from the UNESCO list. 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 new UNESCO biosphere criteria but that all had the potential to do so, apart from Taynish in Scotland.
Following the 2009 periodic review, the UK withdrew Taynish Biosphere Reserve from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The remaining 'lapsed' biosphere reserve stakeholders, with support from the UK MAB Committee, will now need a period of reflection while they decide on the future direction of their respective biosphere reserves.
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 de-listed 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 de-listed. The four biosphere reserves were delisted at the 17th Session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB ICC) which occurred 18-22 March 2002.
Other documents
Social, economic and environmental benefits of World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Geoparks (2007) Scottish National Heritage