The carrying capacity of a natural ecosystem must be estimated in order to ensure the rational use of renewable natural resources respecting the increasing demands of local population living on these resources and an efficient protection of biodiversity. Biosphere reserves are excellent tools for collecting information in general, scientific data and for sensitisation of local population. They are useful sites for the implementation of the Convention of Biodiversity as they combine the conservation of nature with the use of natural resources. Thus, biosphere reserves are the only category of protected areas that combines the conservation and the use of natural resources for the sustainable development of a region, including the use of traditional and new technologies. Biosphere reserves are situated both in developed countries as well as in developing countries of the world.
Biosphere reserves act as catalysts for both conservation and development.
This includes the strengthening of existing capacities and the increase of local capacity for carrying out management, natural resources assessment, research and training with special emphasis on young women education. This project is aimed to provide a substantial contribution to these efforts by developing integrated strategies for the preservation of biodiversity in coastal zones and small islands with particular emphasis on third world countries. The project aims at increasing local capabilities for research, training and management of sustainable use of renewable resources, and the conservation of mangrove ecosystems and environmental awareness-raising among local populations. Through these activities, it will be possible to strengthen existing capacities and increase the local capacity for carrying out management, research and training in the islands and coastal zones. Particularly, through the involvement of ISME, an Okinawa based NGO which operates a network of around 700 scientists on mangroves and coastal areas all around the world, the project will establish an exchange of information, research results and scientists with respect to preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.