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Learning through Place-Based Implementation of the UNESCO MAB Program in South Africa’s Oldest Biosphere Reserve: A Case Study of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve

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  • Michael Klaver

    (Department of Conservation Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa
    Sustainability Research Unit, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa)

  • Bianca Currie

    (Sustainability Research Unit, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa)

  • James George Sekonya

    (Department of Conservation Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa
    Sustainability Research Unit, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa)

  • Kaera Coetzer

    (Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
    Global Change Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

Abstract

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is implemented through a world network of biosphere reserves, which offer a holistic people-centered landscape-level conservation approach. When successfully implemented the program enhances social–ecological system sustainability and resilience. However, there remains a research gap in understanding and collating lessons from individual sites for the benefit of the program globally. We assess MAB implementation in South Africa’s oldest biosphere reserve, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR; est. 1998). Using semi-structured in-depth interviews with directors and the coordinator, complemented by document analysis, we explore the governance and implementation learnings of the KBR as it has evolved. The KBR program implementation is guided by global necessity, but driven by the local context, which for the KBR translates to a non-profit organization cooperative governance model. The site faces a perceived lack of government financial support and awareness of the ‘biosphere reserve’ concept. Despite these challenges, successes have emerged in the formation of local partnerships to fulfil critical roles in socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation. The learnings from KBR, as it strives to become a model site for sustainability, are useful for other sites similarly operationalizing an international designation for local conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Klaver & Bianca Currie & James George Sekonya & Kaera Coetzer, 2024. "Learning through Place-Based Implementation of the UNESCO MAB Program in South Africa’s Oldest Biosphere Reserve: A Case Study of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-29, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:455-:d:1369180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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