A biosphere reserve is an ecosystem with plants and animals of unusual scientific and natural interest.

Each Biosphere Reserve should fulfill three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing:

Conservation function–to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

Development function–to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;

Logistic function–to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.