Department of Conservation Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa.
Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa.
Environ Manage. 2024 Dec;74(6):1207-1222. doi: 10.1007/s00267-024-02048-3. Epub 2024 Sep 18.
The Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) responds to challenges of the Anthropocene through an explicit social-ecological approach. Implemented as a world network of biosphere reserves, MAB aims to increase [eco]system sustainability and resilience globally, via individual model sites for learning and sustainable development. This research provides an in-depth case study of MAB implementation in South Africa using the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), established in 2007 when a key MAB guiding policy, the Madrid Action Plan came into effect. The study utilized semi-structured in-depth interviews with strategic and operational management, and document analysis. The CWBR prioritizes their role as a landscape coordinator, a driver of socio-economic development and site in which humans derive benefits from healthy natural environments. The CWBR have adopted a non-profit organization cooperative governance model in support of this vision, fulfilling the socio-economic development function primarily through successful international partnerships. Challenges faced include a perceived lack of sufficient government support, limited stakeholder awareness and insufficient resources for project implementation. Over reliance on the pillar of their model, the chief executive officer in the current governance form, is an instrument in their effectiveness, yet carries significant risk. These are learnings useful for other biosphere reserves translating an international designation for a local context.
人与生物圈计划（MAB）通过明确的社会-生态方法应对人类世的挑战。作为一个生物圈保护区的世界网络，MAB 旨在通过各个示范站点的学习和可持续发展，提高全球生态系统的可持续性和弹性。本研究通过对南非开普酒乡生物圈保护区（CWBR）的深入案例研究，深入探讨了 MAB 的实施情况。该保护区成立于 2007 年，当时《马德里行动计划》这一关键的 MAB 指导政策生效。该研究采用半结构化深度访谈的方法，对战略和运营管理进行了访谈，并对文件进行了分析。CWBR 优先考虑其作为景观协调员、社会经济发展推动者以及人类从健康自然环境中获益的场所的角色。为了支持这一愿景，CWBR 采用了非营利组织合作治理模式，主要通过成功的国际伙伴关系履行社会经济发展职能。面临的挑战包括被认为缺乏足够的政府支持、利益相关者意识有限以及项目实施资源不足。在当前的治理形式中，过度依赖模型的支柱——首席执行官，是其有效性的工具，但也带来了重大风险。这些经验教训对于其他生物圈保护区将国际指定转化为当地背景是有用的。
