Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias), Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Rio Lagartos, Yucatan, Mexico, North America

Rio Taburiente River, Caldera de Taburiente, Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Aerial of Luebbenau, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spree Forest, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

Sierra de San Francisco in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Aerial view of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Principe, Sao Tome and Principe, Atlantic Ocean, Africa

Village of Lehde in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spree Forest, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

Beautiful beach in the Bom Bom Resort, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Principe, Sao Tome and Principe, Atlantic Ocean, Africa

Rock arch, landmark, La Maceta, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Hotel Punta Grande at sunset, Las Puntas, El Golfo, lava coast, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Rock arch, Charco Manso Bay, Punta Norte near Echedo, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Aerial of Luebbenau, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spree Forest, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

Backlight in the Harbour of Luebbenau, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spree Forest, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

Harbour of Luebbenau, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spree Forest, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

Caldera de Taburiente, Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Remote tropical beach on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Principe, Sao Tome and Principe, Atlantic Ocean, Africa

Beergarden, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Spree Forest, Brandenburg, Germany, Europe

Sunset at south coast near La Restinga, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

The Biosphere Environment Museum on St. Helen's Island, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, North America

Canarian Pines (Pinus canariensis), Cumbre Vieja, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Basalt boulders in the ocean, El Golfo, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Sunset at south coast near La Restinga, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Rock arch, Arco de la Tosca at Punta de la Dehesa, lava coast, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Coast near Los Llanillos at sunset, El Golfo Valley, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Coast near Los Llanillos at sunset, El Golfo Valley, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Cumbre Vieja, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Rock arch at sunrise, Charco Manso Bay, Punta Norte near Echedo, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Lava coast of Las Puntas at sunset, El Golfo, biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Meadow of flowers and stone wall, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Hiking path from Los Brecitos through Caldera de Taburiente, Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canry Islands, Spain, Europe

Aerial view of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Principe, Sao Tome and Principe, Atlantic Ocean, Africa

Nuestra Senora de la Candeleria church, La Frontera, El Golfo, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Road at the south coast at sunset, near Orchilla Volcano, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spai, Atlantic, Europe

Wild elephants in Hurulu Eco Park biosphere reserve, Habarana, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka, Asia

Cerro Pelon Monarch Butterfly Biosphere, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mexico, North America

Cactus garden (Jardin de Cactus) by Cesar Manrique, wind mill, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Guatiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Carnivorous plant display inside Cloud Forest biosphere, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Asia

Cerro Pelon Monarch Butterfly Biosphere, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mexico, North America

Mangrove forest in Buena Vista UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Buena Vista Bay, Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

Landscape look-out point, Hurulu Eco Park biosphere reserve, Habarana, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka, Asia

Restaurant at Mirador de la Pena, architect Cesar Manrique, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Entrance to the Roca Belo Monte, former cocoa plantation, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Principe, Sao Tome and Principe, Atlantic Ocean, Africa

Inside the Cloud Forest biosphere at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Asia

Inside the Cloud Forest biosphere at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Asia

Rock arch and Hotel Punta Grande, Las Puntas, El Golfo, lava coast, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Dawn over rain forest of Biosphere Reserve, Peten, Guatemala, Central America

Restaurant at Mirador de la Pena, architect Cesar Manrique, UNESCO biosphere reserve, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Atlantic, Europe

Floating Vietnamese village, Lake Tonle Sap, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Cambodia, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Biosphere 2 Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America, North America

Young Indian men bathing in the river flaunting the Environmental rules beside them. Next to the HQ in Mudumalai Wildlife sanctuary/National park/tiger reserve/ biosphere reserve in Tamil Nadu India. more info: conflicts arise where villages are allowed to develop inside protected areas. There is still a lot of wildlife here but a sizable settlement is appearing around the visitor centre with large scale use of the river as laundry, rubbish dump etc. If laws are not enforced they have no value.

The Eden Project, St. Austell, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Disused S'Hostal quarries managed by the LITHICA cultural association, Menorca, Spain.

Disused S'Hostal quarries managed by the LITHICA cultural association, Menorca, Spain.

Disused S'Hostal quarries managed by the LITHICA cultural association, Menorca, Spain.

Watchtower of Monte Toro, Menorca, Spain

Disused S'Hostal quarries managed by the LITHICA cultural association, Menorca, Spain.

The roof of the tropical biome at the Eden Project, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Disused S'Hostal quarries managed by the LITHICA cultural association, Menorca, Spain.

Disused S'Hostal quarries managed by the LITHICA cultural association, Menorca, Spain.

Osprey hunting. Biosphere Reserve for Osprey nest site. San Ignacio, Baja, Mexico.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

A morning view of the Paine Massif across Lago Pehoe in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Palms and old pier in Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

The jaggedly sculpted face of the Grey Glacier on Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America.

The Grey Glacier and Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America.

The jaggedly sculpted face of the Grey Glacier on Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America.

The Grey Glacier and Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America.

The Grey Glacier and Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America.

The rocky shoreline of Lago Pehoe in Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in Chile in the Patagonia region of South America. Across the lake is the Paine Massif in the low clouds.

Global biosphere

Man and woman hiking with alpine roses in the foreground, Falkert, Nockberge, Nockberge-Trail, UNESCO Biosphere Park Nockberge, Gurktal Alps, Carinthia, Austria

Woman hiking with Hochalmspitze in the background, Rödresnock, Nockberge, Nockberge-Trail, UNESCO Biosphere Park Nockberge, Gurktal Alps, Carinthia, Austria

Elephant safari in Hurulu Eco Park biosphere reserve, Habarana, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka, Asia

Crater of extinct volcano, Charco de los Clicos, salt water, green colour through phytoplancton, El Golfo, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Farmer planting plants in lapilli fields, agriculture, Valle de Temisa, near Tabayesco, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Polarbear with cubs on icefloe, Ursus maritimus, Svalbard, Norway

Flock of sheep in the desert Bardenas Reales, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Province of Navarra, Northern Spain, Spain, Europe

Mountain hut with Lake Millstatt in the background, Alexanderhütte, Nockberge, Nockberge-Trail, UNESCO Biosphere Park Nockberge, Gurktal Alps, Carinthia, Austria

Scenery with fields in summer, Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, Uckermark, Brandenburg, Germany

Traditional Spreewald boat in the morning, tourguide Hagen Conrad punting on a stream to pick up tourists in Burg-Kauper, Upper Spreewald, biosphere reservat, Spreewald, Brandenburg, Germany

Traditional Spreewald boat, punt driven by pole, full of pirates, tour from Luebbenau, Upper Spreewald, biosphere reservat, Spreewald, Brandenburg, Germany

Pico Bejenado (1857m), peak of the extinct volcano crater Caldera de Taburiente and beach, Puerto de Tazacorte, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Atlantic ocean, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Observatorio Astrofisico, astronomy, astrophysics, observatory, cupolas, Roque de los Muchachos, Caldera de Taburiente, national parc, Parque Nacional Caldera de Taburiente, natural preserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Observatorio Astrofisico, astronomy, astrophysics, observatory, cupolas, Roque de los Muchachos, Caldera de Taburiente, national parc, Parque Nacional Caldera de Taburiente, natural preserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Traditional Spreewald boat in the morning, tourguide Hagen Conrad punting on a stream to pick up tourists in Burg-Kauper, Upper Spreewald, biosphere reservat, Spreewald, Brandenburg, Germany

Tourists walking in the dunes, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Slowinski National Park, Polish Baltic Sea coast, Leba, Pomeranian, Poland

Pico Bejenado (1857m), peak of the extinct volcano crater Caldera de Taburiente and coast at dusk, Puerto de Tazacorte, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Atlantic ocean, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Former residence of artist and architect Cesar Manrique, museum, Fundacion Cesar Manrique, Taro de Tahiche, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Cruise ship, Crucero Aida, in the harbour Santa Cruz de la Palma at dusk, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Pico Bejenado (1857m), peak of the extinct volcano crater Caldera de Taburiente and beach with paraglider, Puerto de Tazacorte, NESCO Biosphere Reserve, Atlantic ocean, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Observatorio Astrofisico, astronomy, astrophysics, observatory, cupolas, Roque de los Muchachos, Caldera de Taburiente, national parc, Parque Nacional Caldera de Taburiente, natural preserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Tourists walking in the dunes, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Slowinski National Park, Polish Baltic Sea coast, Leba, Pomeranian, Poland

Treetop walk, Biosphere House, Fischbach bei Dahn, Palatine Forest, Rhineland-Palentine, Germany

Pool, former residence of artist and architect Cesar Manrique, museum, Fundacion Cesar Manrique, Taro de Tahiche, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Observatorio Astrofisico, astronomy, astrophysics, observatory, cupolas, Roque de los Muchachos, Caldera de Taburiente, national parc, Parque Nacional Caldera de Taburiente, natural preserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Coastal landscape at Los Cancajos, Santa Cruz de la Palma and east side of Caldera de Taburiente in the background, Atlantic ocean, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Atlantic ocean, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Man walking through a water channel and tunnel, moss, Galeria de agua, Fuentes Marcos y Cordero, natural preserve, Parque Natural de las Nieves, east side of extinct volcanic crater, Caldera de Taburiente, above San Andres, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Pico Bejenado (1857m), peak of the extinct volcano crater Caldera de Taburiente and beach, Puerto de Tazacorte, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Atlantic ocean, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe