Today it is the name of a biosphere reserve covering 1.3 million acres of land along the central cost of the state.
Biosphere reserves are a new concept.
The goal is to preserve the flora, fauna and ecosystems of an area while satisfying the needs of the local population. In biosphere reserves, conservation is not conceived of as prohibiting use, but rather as the rational and long term sustainable use of the resources. Three hundred and thirty six species of birds are are found in Sian Ka'an including the ocellated turkey, great currasow, parrots, toucans, and trogons. The aquatic birds includes species such as white ibis, roseate spoonbill, the rare jabiru stork, wood stork, flamingo and 15 species of herons, egrets and bitterns. A dirt road runs from the northcrn border of Sian Ka'an, close to Tulum, to Punta Allen, at the northern tip of Ascension Bay.