Canadian biosphere reserves: idealizations and realizations.( )

A three-part ideal has been central to the planning and designation of biosphere reserves throughout their history. The simplest configuration is the three concentric rings illustrated in Figure 1. At the centre is a natural core--undisturbed by human activity. Surrounding this is a buffer--still predominantly natural, yet open to human activities consistent with protection of the core. Surrounding the buffer is a zone of transition or zone of cooperation. As implied, the latter is, ...