Protected areas, biosphere zones

Data report the external borders of Sweden’s biosphere areas. Biosphere sites are about nature conservation and sustainable development in a new way. People should be able to live and develop in areas at the same time as society can test new knowledge and practice when it comes to sustainably managing the relationship between man and nature — to both use and preserve. In Sweden, biosphere reserves are complementary to cultural and nature reserves, national parks and other designations of areas with high natural and cultural values. Decisions on biosphere reserve do not in themselves provide legal protection. Nor does it impose any restrictions on or extended requirements on existing protected areas. In June 2015, there were 651 biosphere sites in 120 countries. The number of areas grows by 10-20 per year. Biosphere sites are part of a global network: The World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In the Nordic countries, we have had biosphere sites since the 1970s. There are currently seven biosphere sites in the Nordic region, five of which are located in Sweden: Kristianstads Vattenrike, Vänerskärgården with Kinnekulle, Älvlandet Nedre Dalälven, Blekinge Arkipelag and Östra Vätterbranterna. In addition, there are two biosphere candidate areas: Voxnadalen and Vindelälven-Juhtatdahka.