ABSTRACT
Australian biosphere reserves (BRs) were among the first to be included in the early stages of the World Network of BRs under UNESCO’s-MAB Programme. However, there was little action after listing until the second stage in the 1990s where a re-invigoration of the BR ideal occurred, culminating in considering the impact of the Seville Strategy and accompanying Statutory Framework. The third stage saw interest in “Seville Style” BRs, with considerable community input in the early 2000s until 2012. From 2012, following decisions at the international level by the MAB Intergovernmental Co-ordinating Council, the fourth stage began with a re-evaluation wherein BRs were required to conform to the Statutory Framework and the guidance set out in the Seville Strategy and Madrid Action Plan (2008–2015). This evaluation resulted a major reduction in the number of BRs. The evaluation process continues at the time of writing, taking Australia into the next decade with a reduced, but more relevant and vital, sub-network to the WNBR.
