Biosphere Reserve

Extensive protected areas (natural and precious cultural landscapes) that have been recognized in the UNESCO Programme “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB) established in 1976

Biosphere reserves are subdivided into 3 interrelated biosphere reserve zones with differing degrees of anthropogenic interference: a core zone, a buffer zone, a transition area, and in some cases a regeneration zone.
3% of Germany’s surface area is assigned to a total of 14 Biosphere Reserves, 40% of which consists of waters and mud flats (Wadden sea).