UNESCO adds area the size of Bolivia to reserves protecting 5% of world land

UNESCO has expanded its network of biosphere reserves, adding a swath of protected landscapes roughly equal in size to Bolivia. The move marks a major boost in efforts to conserve critical habitats while keeping people and communities at the heart of how those places are managed.

The latest round of designations pushes the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) network to cover roughly 5% of the planet’s land area, reflecting a strategy that blends scientific conservation with local livelihoods and indigenous knowledge.

How the biosphere network just got bigger — and why it matters

Every year UNESCO receives nominations from member states for new biosphere reserves, much like how sites are proposed for the World Heritage List. This year’s approvals added 26 areas to the MAB network, and when counted alongside previous additions since 2018, the total new protected footprint equals about one million square kilometers — an area comparable to Bolivia.

These designations are not unilateral declarations by UNESCO. Instead, nations nominate sites—often existing national parks or culturally significant landscapes—and take on responsibility for their stewardship. The goal is not to push people out, but to coordinate land use so ecosystems and human communities can thrive together.

Numbers and targets: what the expanded network contributes

UNESCO’s biosphere reserves are a core tool in the global conservation toolbox. Since the program began in the early 1970s, the network has grown to hundreds of sites worldwide. With the most recent additions, the MAB list now includes 785 biosphere reserves across 142 countries.

• Network size: 785 sites in 142 countries
• Land cover: about 5% of Earth’s land surface
• Recent growth: roughly 1,000,000 km² added since 2018

These reserves contribute to broader international commitments, such as the Kunming–Montreal global biodiversity framework, which aims to protect 30% of land and marine areas by 2030. In practice, the MAB reserves complement UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks to protect over 13 million km² of terrestrial and marine ecosystems under the organization’s remit.

New nations join the program and one island nation goes all in

Several countries received their first-ever biosphere reserve designations this year, expanding the geographic reach of the network and highlighting diverse ecosystems—from Arctic to tropical.

• Countries awarded their first biosphere reserve: Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman, Tajikistan
• Unique milestone: São Tomé and Príncipe became the first country to have its entire territory recognized as a biosphere reserve
• Other nations adding reserves this year include Albania, China, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden

What these reserves protect: biodiversity and fragile habitats

Biosphere reserves conserve some of Earth’s most important and vulnerable ecosystems while also supporting scientific research and education. They hold a disproportionate share of global biodiversity:

• More than 60% of terrestrial vertebrate species occur within these reserves
• Roughly 12% of mapped mangrove areas
• About 10% of known salt marshes
• Nearly 8% of global seagrass meadows

In North America, well-known landscapes such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the Southern Appalachian region, and the Channel Islands are part of this network, demonstrating that biosphere reserves can encompass both iconic wilderness and human-influenced places.

How governance and local communities shape reserve success

Biosphere reserves operate on a principle of balance: sustaining natural processes while enabling economic and cultural activities for people who live there. Management plans draw on both natural and social sciences and often involve multiple stakeholders—governments, scientists, indigenous peoples, and local communities.

Key governance features

• National nomination and oversight: countries nominate sites and are primarily responsible for implementation
• Integrated management: plans combine conservation, sustainable production, and education
• Community engagement: local and indigenous knowledge is central to decision-making

The objective is not strict preservation in the sense of excluding human activity, but rather promoting models where agriculture, forestry, and fisheries coexist with biodiversity protection over the long term.

Private partnerships and on-the-ground projects driving sustainable jobs

Public-private collaborations are increasingly part of the biosphere approach. One example is the Amazonia Project, which partners with local managers across eight biosphere reserves and has received backing from large corporations.

• The initiative has supported over 40 local projects that create sustainable, green employment opportunities.
• Activities supported include agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and measures to reduce wildfire risk and protect biodiversity.

These partnerships aim to create tangible economic incentives for conservation, helping communities generate income while maintaining and restoring ecosystems.

Learning places for future generations and research

Biosphere reserves also function as living laboratories and classrooms. Educational programs target schools and Indigenous communities, promoting conservation literacy and training the next generation of land stewards. Through on-site research and community-led projects, reserves test and scale sustainable practices that can be adapted elsewhere.

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• French Guiana protects 370,000 acres of rainforest and granite peaks

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.