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15.7. THE MAN AND BIOSPHERE (MAB)

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme aiming to set a scientific basis for the improvement of the relationships between people and their environment globally.

Launched in the early 1970s, it proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda and capacity building that target the ecological, social and economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and the reduction of this loss.

Concerned with problems at the interface of scientific, environmental, societal and development issues, MAB combines natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and safeguard natural ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that is socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.

The agenda of the MAB Prorgamme is defined by its main governing body, the International Coordinating Council in concertation with the broader MAB Community.

For implementation of its interdisciplinary work onground, MAB relies on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and on thematic networks and partnerships for knowledge-sharing, research and monitoring, education and training, and participatory decisionmaking.

It predicts the consequences of today’s actions on tomorrow’s world and thereby increases people’s ability to efficiently manage natural resources for the well-being of both human populations and the environment.

Do you know?

Paints and dressings do not help to cure the tree wound, some actually speed up the decay.


The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Do cut!!


The cottonwood tree seed is the seed that stays in flight the longest.


Aloe vera is also called as fountain of youth


During periods of increased or decreased temperature, cracks may develop in the tree trunk -- referred to as frost cracks and sun cracks. Both can lead to decay.