UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

As of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary. Biosphere reserves are large landscapes with significant biodiversity and important ecological systems. Together, the reserves are representative of the world's major ecoystems. Each reserve is a focus for environmental collaboration and sustainable development. They offer travellers an opportunity to appreciate and understand unique parts of the natural environment, although the information provided isn't necessarily targeted at tourists from abroad, and what kind of infrastructure there is for visitors varies.

UNESCO describes the reserves as follows:

Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.

Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.

See UNESCO World Heritage List and Ramsar sites for related lists.