The International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO has named the recipients of the 2019 Young Scientists Awards and the Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management. The selection was announced today, during the MAB Council's annual meeting in Paris, France (17 to 21 June).
Awarded every two years, the US$12,000 Michel Batisse Award for a case study concerning the management of a biosphere reserve goes to M. José Santiso, head of the Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Spain) for his project promoting local, organically grown food produce. This project has helped preserve local varieties and linked producers and consumers, including school canteens.
Through the MAB Young Scientists Awards, UNESCO seeks to promote a new generation of scientists worldwide to addressing ecological and sustainability issues. The MAB Programme has been granting awards of up to $5,000 each since 1989 to encourage young researchers to undertake work on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity.
Seven young scientists are to receive the 2019 UNESCO MAB Young Scientists Awards :
Andrea SANTOS GARCIA (Brazil): Mapping and assessing land degradation in biosphere reserves: towards sustainable development through governance opportunities,
Miguel David BARRIOS (Colombia): Ecological and population genetics approach for the conservation of seagrass ecosystems in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve,
Isaac Yaw BARNES (Ghana): Using story telling through a geo-story map to highlight Bia River Biosphere Reserve's anthropogenic effect on community livelihood and adaptation,
Fenny Clara ARDIATI (Indonesia): Isolation, screening, and assessment of White Rot Fungi in Berbak and Sembilang Biosphere Reserve for their potency in wastewater treatment,
Aida MAMMADOVA (Japan): The role of Biosphere Reserves in creating international eco-entrepreneurship possibilities for youth in micro-financed transition areas of Russian and Japanese biosphere reserves,
Ihssane TOUJGANI (Morocco): Characterization and enhancement of local genetic resources of the common chestnut tree (Castanae sativa Mill.) in the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve,
Kazeem JIMOH (Nigeria): Impact of green economy in biosphere reserve project (GEBR) as an alternative livelihood source on the poverty status of Omo Biosphere Reserve communities.
UNESCO Biosphere reserves are areas that promote innovative solutions for sustainable development, and serve as laboratory of ideas and good practices on biodiversity conservation. They are recognized as such by UNESCO's MAB Programme.
