Management Plan 2023–2032 of the “Mariñas Coruñesas” Biosphere Reserve
The “Mariñas Coruñesas” Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 2013, has a new Management Plan for the period 2023-2032, developed by the Biodiversity Laboratory (IBADER – University of Santiago de Compostela) and coordinated by the Reserve’s technical team. This document continues the previous plan (2013–2022) and adapts to current international frameworks (Lima Plan and Ordesa-Viñamala Plan), as well as to state and regional regulations on protected areas.
The Plan covers the 17 municipalities in the province of A Coruña that are part of the Reserve, with an area of over 116,000 ha and a population of nearly 200,000 inhabitants. The territory includes core, buffer, and transition zones that integrate natural, rural, and urban spaces.
This strategic instrument was developed through a participatory process throughout 2023, gathering contributions from public and private entities, associations, experts, and citizens, thus ensuring a shared and inclusive vision for the
future of the Reserve.
Approach and General Objective
The Management Plan is conceived as a dynamic and consensual document that seeks to integrate nature conservation with the economic and social development of local communities. It constitutes a common commitment between administrations, entities, and civil society, aimed at consolidating the Reserve as a model of sustainability and territorial innovation towards the 2050 horizon.
Its general objective is to strengthen the Reserve’s operation and advance in fulfilling its three fundamental functions, defined by UNESCO’s MaB Program:
- Conservation of biodiversity, landscape, and natural and cultural heritage.
- Sustainable development of the territory, promoting a green and blue economy, especially in rural and coastal areas.
- Logistical support for research, environmental education, and cooperation between territories.
Specific Objectives
- Reduce biodiversity loss and promote ecological restoration.
- Control invasive exotic species.
- Promote climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Enhance a sustainable economic model based on agriculture, forestry, and responsible tourism.
- Improve ecological connectivity through green and blue infrastructure.
- Promote the "Biosphere Reserve" quality brand and the Local Food Plan.
- Consolidate participatory and inclusive governance, with gender perspective and active youth participation.
- Promote environmental education and citizen awareness.
- Strengthen collaboration networks with universities, research centers, and other Biosphere Reserves.
Plan Structure
The document is organized into five main chapters:
- Introduction, objectives, and management criteria, with the legal reference framework.
- Territorial and environmental diagnosis, analyzing the state of ecosystems, zoning, and main territorial challenges.
- Governance and participation, detailing management bodies, collaboration, and social involvement mechanisms.
- Strategic lines and action programs, which include priorities and actions for the 2023-2032 period.
- Funding, evaluation, and monitoring, defining necessary resources and control and review systems.
Management Plan 2013-2022
The candidacy for the “Mariñas Coruñesas” Biosphere Reserve established a Management Plan for the period 2013–2022, approved by UNESCO in the official declaration of the Biosphere Reserve, agreed upon at the XXV Meeting of the International Coordinating Council of the MaB Program, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from May 27 to 30, 2013.
This Management Plan (2013–2022) was the result of participation and consensus among the territory’s agents and entities with competencies in the Biosphere Reserve, with participation being a principle promoted by UNESCO in the development of the MaB Program. It is worth highlighting the bottom-up approach in the formulation of this Management Plan, resulting from the debate and participation of the Sectoral Tables and the Board of Directors of the A.D.R. “Mariñas-Betanzos”, the Steering Council, the Scientific and Participation Committees, the Technical Commissions of the “Mariñas Coruñesas” Biosphere Reserve, as well as the interested public in general.