| |
Abstract |
UNESCOs MAB Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) play a key role in the integration of biodiversity conservation in sustainable development. Since 1976, when the MAB Programme designated the first 57 BRs, the Programme has undergone many significant developments. Meanwhile, the WNBR includes more than 700 BRs in 129 countries (Köck & Arnberger 2017). BRs include not only attractive landscapes and specific landscape features but also settlement areas, and can even include parts of larger cities. Such areas are exposed not only to high overnight and day tourism pressure but also to the everyday recreation of even millions of urban residents. Austria established its first four BRs in 1977. These first generation BRs were removed from the WNBR between 2014 and 2016 because of not fulfilling the renewed criteria for BRs (Köck & Arnberger 2017). Two of these BRs were located in East-Austria and part of national parks. While for the former Untere Lobau BR, which is part of the city of Vienna, a rich and long-term data base on recreation uses exists (Arnberger 2006), there is little knowledge on recreation uses of the former Neusiedler-See BR. Between 2000 and 2019, four second generation BRs were established, among these the Wienerwald BR (WBR) located in East-Austria. |
|
