8.1.

Natural Heritage definition:

Natural heritage is referred to the total sum of the elements of biodiversity, including floraand
fauna, ecosystems and geological structures. In fact, it forms part of our Natural Resources.
On the other hand, the term biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) is a concept forged in
1985, which covers the genetic diversity of species and the diversity of ecosystems, as well
as all-natural environments and living organisms (plants, animals, mushrooms, bacteria,
etc.) and the relationships and interactions between living organisms and their living
environments.
The term encompasses the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain
life…
Furthermore, biodiversity is essential to the functioning of ecosystems, forests, waters,
coral reefs, soils and even the atmosphere, ensuring life on Earth. These ecosystems provide
us with countless vital services for agriculture and soil regenerations, climate regulation and
coastal protection, air and water quality, pollination, medicine tapped from nature, food,
medicine and clothing.

8.2. Preservation and conservation of the Natural Heritage:

Understanding different values is essential for gaining the cooperation needed to conserve
biodiversity, which can only be achieved when multiple actors agree on common goals.
The way people value and perceive biodiversity influences behavior at the level of the
individual, institutions and whole societies. Besides, the different ways of perceiving and
valuing biodiversity depend on culture, gender, education, occupation, context (e.g.,
urban/rural) and/or a multitude of other influences.
Biodiversity may be valued for
 The extrinsic ‘ecosystem services’ it provides to humanity (the provision of
pollinators for food production, mangroves for preventing coastal erosion or plants
as potential sources of new pharmaceuticals).
 The intrinsic value; like the highly bio diverse areas such as rainforests or coral
reefs, or charismatic animals such as tigers or whales, are often perceived to have
value regardless of their contributions to people.
Biodiversity and nature also have profound cultural and spiritual dimensions.

8.3. A threatened Heritage:

Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human wellbeing in the presentand
in the future, and its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. Accelerated processes
of economic development and urbanization endanger the survival of many plant and animal
species. In fact, scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal
become extinct every 24 hours.
Under the pressure of human activity, natural environments and species that populate them
are declining in unprecedented numbers. Human beings have caused the sixth major
extinction crisis by massively accelerating the species extinction process, the previous one
being that of dinosaurs dating back 65 million years. The main global drivers of
biodiversity loss are:
1. Climate change.
2. Invasive species.
3. Over- exploitation of natural resources.
4. Pollution.
5. Urbanization.
Unlike the mass extinction events of geological history, the current extinction challenge is
one for which a single species (the human being) appears to be almost wholly
responsible.
The consequences of this situation are:
1. The progressive exhaustion of the Natural Resources
2. Disappearance of large number of species of fauna and flora
3. Degradation of natural areas of Interest.

8.4. International Policies on protecting Natural Heritage:

We can distinguish between different levels of protection, mainly between international
policies and national ones (from Spain). At the international level we can distinguish
between three:
WORLD HERITAGE:
Conserving the diversity of life on Earth is critical to global human welfare. Natural World
Heritage sites provide crucial habitats to many iconic species, as well as protect rare
ecological processes and stunning landscapes. They also contribute to economies, climate
stability and human well-being.
With the support of the World Heritage Convention (1972), the most important natural sites
receive international recognition as well as technical and financial assistance to deal with
threats. Those natural sites can be physical and geological areas, natural sites or geological
and physiographical formations with scientific or aesthetic importance or habitats for
threatened species…
Being consider as a world natural heritage brings also some benefits, such as:

1. The boost to national pride and prestige.

2. Strengthened protection and long-term conservation as a result of the national

commitment represented by World Heritage nomination and the international support
for conservation that is the central purpose of the World Heritage Convention.
 3. Being part of a global network of natural World Heritage sites that provide
opportunities for interchange of knowledge, experience and sometimes also for staff
exchanges.
4. Opportunities to benefit from training, courses and workshops aimed explicitly at
World Heritage managers and staff.
5. Access to dedicated support units at UNESCO Headquarters.
6. Opportunities for additional funding, from governments and from other sources such
as the private sector, NGO partners and specific World Heritage funds…
7. Greater levels of domestic and international scrutiny which can stimulate improved
levels of protection, for example. Such a move can result in additional international
attention and resources.
8. Added value as a marketing or quality brand. The value of World Heritage as a brand
can be maximized to attract tourism, resulting in increased national income.
Furthermore, in 2005, it was launched the World Heritage Marine Programme in order to
ensure effective conservation of existing and potential marine areas of Outstanding
Universal Value so they will thrive for generations to come. In fact, the impact of climate
change is affecting marine World Heritage sites at an unprecedented rate, resulting in rising
temperatures and sea levels, extreme weather and mass bleaching events… which has come
as a result of human activity, such as illegal and unreported fisheries, marine pollution or
unsustainable coastal developments.
THE MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME (MAB):
The MAB is a UNESCO Scientific Programme that seeks to improve people's global
relationship with their environment. It was launched in the early 1970s with a
multidisciplinary character.
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves was created in order to share knowledge,
research and education. It actually counts with 701 sites in 124 countries all over the world.
Moreover, the UNESCO has defined a “biosphere reserve” as a series of protected areas
linked through a global network, intended to demonstrate the relationship between
conservation and development.
The mission of the MAB is to:

1. Develop and strengthen models of sustainable development through the WNBR.

2. Communicate experiences and lessons learned, and facilitate the global diffusion and
application of these models.

3. Support evaluation and high-quality management of biosphere reserves, strategies

and policies for sustainable development and planning, and accountable and
resilient institutions.
4. Help Member States and stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals by sharing experiences and lessons learned related to exploring and testing
policies, technologies and innovations for the sustainable management of
biodiversity and natural resources and mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Furthermore, we can distinguish between three different biosphere reserve areas:
1. Core Areas: It comprises a strictly
protected zone that contributes to the
conservation of landscapes, ecosystems,
species and genetic variation.
2. Buffer Zones: It surrounds or adjoins the
core area, and is used for activities
compatible with sound ecological practices
that can reinforce scientific research,
monitoring, training and education...
3. Transition Area: The transition area is where communities foster socio-
culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.
NATURA 2000:
Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. It is a
network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and some rare
natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. It stretches across all 27 EU
countries, both on land and at sea.
The aim of this network is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and
threatened species and habitats, listed under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats
Directive.

8.5. Spanish Policies on Protecting Natural Heritage:

In Spain, we can distinguish between National Parks, Nature Reserves, Marine Protected
areas, Natural Monuments and Protected landscapes (aesthetic value).
National Parks are natural areas that have not been very transformed by the occupation and
economic human activity. They have some particular characteristics such as their
geographic structure, their vegetation, fauna, etc. They are managed by the Autonomous
Communities where they are located.
Natural Parks are also managed by the CCAA, but with a less extension than National
Parks as primary resources are exploit from them. Natural Reserves have a little surface that
protect the ecosystems and biological elements, and they are value for that.

8.6. Policies in Navarra:

1. RENA, the “Red de espacios Naturales Protegidos de Navarra”.
2. Natura 2000, created by the EU for the conservation of biological diversity.
The first one represents the 8% of the protected territory of Navarra, and the second onethe
25%.
The Natural Parks in Navarra are:1984: Señorío de Bértiz; 1997: Urbasa-Andía; 1999:
Bardenas Reales.