The UNESCO Dolni Morava Biosphere Reserve - A model for cultural landscape management

Abstract

The Dolni Morava Biosphere Reserve (BR) is located in the southeast corner of the Czech Republic. Covering nearly 350 km2, the area includes sites of great natural and cultural value, and of national and international importance. Among the sites are numerous protected areas. The whole region is known for its rich folklore traditions, wine production and intensive agriculture. The Dolni Morava BR is the most recent and the smallest of the six Czech BRs, and the only one not situated completely within a National Park or Protected Landscape Area. It strives to combine various protection goals with sustainable development. In 2014, the reserve was declared a model for stakeholder-based management structure within UNESCO's World Network of BRs.