Exploring the Implementation of UNESCO's MAB Program in South Africa: A Case Study of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve.
Biosphere reserve
Governance
Man and the Biosphere Program
Social-ecological system
Sustainable development goals.
UNESCO
Journal
Environmental management
ISSN: 1432-1009
Titre abrégé: Environ Manage
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 7703893
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
18 Sep 2024
18 Sep 2024
Historique:
received:
14
06
2024
accepted:
09
09
2024
medline:
19
9
2024
pubmed:
19
9
2024
entrez:
18
9
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
The Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) responds to challenges of the Anthropocene through an explicit social-ecological approach. Implemented as a world network of biosphere reserves, MAB aims to increase [eco]system sustainability and resilience globally, via individual model sites for learning and sustainable development. This research provides an in-depth case study of MAB implementation in South Africa using the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), established in 2007 when a key MAB guiding policy, the Madrid Action Plan came into effect. The study utilized semi-structured in-depth interviews with strategic and operational management, and document analysis. The CWBR prioritizes their role as a landscape coordinator, a driver of socio-economic development and site in which humans derive benefits from healthy natural environments. The CWBR have adopted a non-profit organization cooperative governance model in support of this vision, fulfilling the socio-economic development function primarily through successful international partnerships. Challenges faced include a perceived lack of sufficient government support, limited stakeholder awareness and insufficient resources for project implementation. Over reliance on the pillar of their model, the chief executive officer in the current governance form, is an instrument in their effectiveness, yet carries significant risk. These are learnings useful for other biosphere reserves translating an international designation for a local context.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39294480
doi: 10.1007/s00267-024-02048-3
pii: 10.1007/s00267-024-02048-3
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : National Research Foundation
ID : UID:129482
Organisme : National Research Foundation
ID : UID:129482
Organisme : National Research Foundation
ID : UID:129482
Organisme : National Research Foundation
ID : UID:129482
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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