Farmland Management and Biosphere Reserves in the Lesser Antilles

The Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB), begun in 1971 under UNESCO, seeks to develop the ability of participating countries to manage and conserve natural resources in line with each country's social and economic features. The Biosphere Reserve on St. John, Virgin Islands has been suggested as the keystone area for a multiple-site Lesser Antillean Biosphere Reserve in the Lesser Antilles. The MAB Program emphasizes environmental training and education, and incorporates an interdisciplinary approach in solving resource management problems in the field. One role of the proposed Lesser Antillean Biosphere Reserve would be to encourage improved agricultural practices by integrating farm management into an overall land use system in each country. The part small farm systems play in the Lesser Antillean ecological scene is an important one. Few countries can afford to lock up major portions of their natural resources from any form of consumptive utilization. Benefits of a Lesser Antillean Biosphere Reserve might include provision for sharing research efforts, restoration of degraded environments, and improved quality of life.