UNESCO Global Geoparks, Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites

UNESCO Global Geoparks, together with the other two UNESCO site designations Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites, give a complete picture of celebrating our heritage while at the same time conserving the world’s cultural, biological and geological diversity, and promoting sustainable economic development.

  • Biosphere Reserves focus on the harmonised management of biological and cultural diversity
  • World Heritage Sites promote the conservation of natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value,
  • Global Geoparks give international recognition for sites that promote the importance and significance of protecting the Earth’s geodiversity through actively engaging with the local communities.

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

In IMPACT project, two natural sites are classified as UNESCO Biosphere reserves. 
MAB Reserve "Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo Alto Molise"
and "Le Marais Audomarois" au sein du Parc naturel régional Caps et Marais d'Opale

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. 

Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.

Link to the official site UNESCO Man & Biosphere  (MAB) program and its network of Biosphere reserves. 


What is a Geopark?

Haţeg Country Dinosaurs Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark, the only one in Romania and one of the first to join the European and Global Geopark Networks in 2005. It is one of the pilot sites of the IMPACT project

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural disasters-related risks.

By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area. The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high quality training courses is stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected.

 Link to the official site UNESCO Global Geoparks