Golden Gate Biosphere Network

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Golden Gate Biosphere Network
Mount Tamalpais Peak.jpg
Visitors enjoying the sunset atop Mount Tamalpais, a protected region within the Golden Gate Biosphere Network.
Map showing the location of Golden Gate Biosphere Network
Map showing the location of Golden Gate Biosphere Network
Location of Golden Gate Biosphere
Nearest citySan Francisco
Coordinates37°48′N 122°30′W / 37.8°N 122.5°W / 37.8; -122.5Coordinates: 37°48′N 122°30′W / 37.8°N 122.5°W / 37.8; -122.5
Area27,976 sq mi (72,460 km2)[1]
Established1988 (1988)[2]
Governing bodyUNESCO
WebsiteGolden Gate Biosphere

The Golden Gate Biosphere Network (GGBN or the Network) is an internationally recognized voluntary coalition of federal, state, and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and private partners within the Golden Gate Biosphere (GGB) region (along the western portion of the San Francisco Bay Area). The Network works towards protecting the biosphere region’s biodiversity and conserving its natural resources to maintain the quality of life for people within the region. The Network has been part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme since 1988 and is part of the US Biosphere Network and EuroMAB.  It is recognized by UNESCO due to the significant biodiversity of the region, as well as the Network's efforts to demonstrate and promote a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.[3]

The Network periodically submits reports to UNESCO on current land-management issues related to the region's biodiversity and its connection to people. Recent efforts have focused on outreach to potential collaborators and promoting research on biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Map of Golden Gate Biosphere zones
A protected area in Bodega Head State Marine Reserve

About the Golden Gate Biosphere Network[]

The Golden Gate Biosphere Network aims to collaboratively steward interaction between humans and the environment. Originally recognized by UNESCO in 1988 for its significant ecological and cultural diversity, a 2017 periodic review brought renewed interest to the Golden Gate Biosphere Network and also expanded the boundaries of the GGB region by more than 26,000 square miles.[1] In the years since, the Network has focused on expanding its collaborative partnerships in order to better connect the agencies, organizations, and non-profits of the region in an effort to more efficiently steward the natural resources of the region. As of 2021, the Network is made up of 20 partners representing multiple jurisdictions and sectors of the region:

  1. Audubon Canyon Ranch
  2. UC Davis, Bodega Marine Reserve
  3. Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
  4. Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
  5. Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
  6. Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
  7. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
  8. Fort Point National Monument
  9. Muir Woods National Monument
  10. Point Reyes National Seashore
  11. Marin Municipal Water District
  12. Mount Tamalpais State Park
  13. Samuel P. Taylor State Park
  14. Tomales Bay State Park
  15. Pepperwood Preserve
  16. Presidio Trust
  17. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Peninsula Watershed
  18. Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
  19. Point Blue Conservation
  20. National Park Service Regional Office (Interior Regions 8, 9, 10, 12)

Network Mission[]

The Golden Gate Biosphere Network's mission as stated in its fact sheet:[2]

Our mission is to protect the natural and cultural resources of the dynamic NorthCentral California coastal bioregion and to enhance adaptive capacity through conservation, education, research and monitoring, and sustainable development. The foundation of the Golden Gate Biosphere is built upon dedicated partnerships with communities adjacent to and within its boundaries with the understanding that local engagement and initiative are key to long-term success.

The biosphere attempts to create a relationship between humans and nature that allows for sustainable development, protection of wild animal and plant species, and acts as a source of research and education for both civilians and experts.

Biosphere Regions[]

As recognized by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, there are currently 714 biosphere regions in 129 countries around the world.[4] Regions are recognized for containing a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major biogeographic regions, significant biodiversity, and their ability to explore and demonstrate approaches to sustainable development at the regional scale.

Biosphere regions serve three functions: 1) to foster relationships between humans and nature that allow for sustainable development, 2) to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, and species of flora and fauna, and 3) to provide support for research, monitoring, and education within the region.[5]

GGB Region Geography[]

The Golden Gate Biosphere region consists of 27,976 square miles (7,246,000 ha) of which 94% is marine habitat.[1] This marine area covers 26,319 square miles (6,817,000 ha) while terrestrial land covers 1,694 square miles (439,000 ha).

It extends through the North-Central California coastal region from the Bodega Marine Reserve in the north to Jasper Ridge in the south and includes the Farallon Islands, Angel Island, and Alcatraz within the San Francisco Bay. The biosphere region is situated on both sides of the San Andreas Fault. Each side has a completely different type of bedrock, and the western side of the rift is moving northward.[1]

Core areas, otherwise known as protected area, are legally constituted core areas devoted to long-term protection.[1] The core areas of the Golden Gate Biosphere region are of sufficient size to serve the three functions required of biosphere regions outlined above. Marine protected areas within the biosphere include the following conservation units:

Terrestrial protected areas include the following conservation units:

  • Bodega Marine Reserve (137 ha)
  • Point Reyes National Seashore - Phillip Burton Wilderness (10,014 ha)
  • Audubon Canyon Ranch (421 ha)
  • Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (85 ha)
  • San Francisco Peninsula Watershed (San Francisco Public Utilities Commission) (7,446 ha)
  • Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (413 ha)

In addition to these protected areas, the Golden Gate Biosphere region includes buffer zones and transition areas.[1] Buffer zones, also known as managed use areas, are clearly identified and surrounding or contiguous to the core area or areas, where only activities compatible with conservation objectives and sound ecological practices can take place. These areas help reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education. Transition areas, or areas of partnership and cooperation,[6] are outer areas where the greatest activity is allowed. Sustainable resource management practices are promoted and developed in these areas in an effort to foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human development.

Ecology[]

The biosphere is considered a biodiversity hotspot because human habitation is threatening its biodiversity. With over 3000 terrestrial and marine plant and animal species,[6] the Golden Gate Biosphere includes marine and aquatic ecosystems as well as terrestrial ecosystems ranging from evergreen forests (including the iconic and endemic Coast Redwood), oak woodlands, chaparral, coastal scrub and prairies, rare serpentine grasslands, as well as coastal and offshore islands.[7] It also contains four Ramsar Wetlands of international importance: the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetland Complex, Tomales Bay, Bolinas Lagoon, and San Francisco Bay Estuary.[6] These habitats are threatened by human activities and settlement within the region.

A diverse range of marine, coastal, and upland habitats of the California chaparral and woodlands and Northern California coastal forests ecoregions may be found, including mixed evergreen forests, Coast Redwood forests, Douglas-fir forests, Bishop pine forests, oak forests, woodlands and savannas, northern coastal scrub, chaparral, coastal dune, coastal strand, tidepools, kelp forests, coastal grasslands, and marshes. The associated fauna is also rich with cougars, Tule elk, California sea lions, elephant seals, and many shorebirds.

Under the federal Endangered Species Act, the Bay Area is home to over 90 endangered or threatened animal and plant species.[8] Endangered land animals found here include the California red-legged frog, Alameda whipsnake, California tiger salamander. Endangered Fish include Central California Coast steelhead trout, coho salmon, and southern green sturgeon.[8] Endangered birds and butterflies include the Western snowy plover, Brown pelican, Mission blue butterfly, and Bay checkerspot butterfly. Endangered plants include the Contra Costa goldfields, Suisun thistle, yellow larkspur, San Francisco Wallflower, and Clarkia franciscana.

Public Use[]

The Golden Gate Biosphere region is unique in that its marine, coastal, and upland resources are adjacent to a major metropolitan area and thus provide easy access to outdoor education and recreation for the inhabitants of the San Francisco Bay metropolitan area.[1]

With over 26.5 million annual visitors,[1] the biosphere region provides important economic opportunities to the San Francisco Bay area. Many recreational activities such as sport fishing, hiking, bicycling, whale watching, sightseeing, backpacking, picnicking, kayaking, surfing, boating, swimming, scuba-diving, snorkeling, cultural activities, museums, dining, and overnight lodging are available.[1]

Agricultural activities within the GGB region are limited to beef and dairy ranching within Point Reyes National Seashore and the northern district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.[1] Approximately 28,000 acres of land are permitted for ranching. The National Park Service and ranchers collaborate on a number of issues of importance to maintaining biodiversity within the biosphere, including water quality, archaeological site preservation, ranch diversification, weed management, historic structure and landscape maintenance, ecologically sound agricultural practices, and habitat restoration.

Stewardship and Research[]

The GGBN work collaboratively on projects related to stewardship, science, and education. For instance, partners cooperate on tidal pool monitoring and public education in the area of Mount Tamalpais State Park.[9] Another joint activity is the Coho salmon restoration project, which requires habitat inventorying and mapping of several critical watersheds.[10] As well, within the past decade, projects within the 1,492 acres of the Presidio site include:[1] the removal of six landfills, the locations of which were subsequently restored with native habitats including one creek, three dune systems where the endangered San Francisco Lessingia habitat and populations were increased, one riparian system, two serpentine sites where the endangered Franciscan Clarkia was increased and one Colma site.

The Network also cooperates with the Iroise Biosphere Reserve of France in a comparison of coastal ecosystem recovery after human use changes. Research covers topics such as the management of commercially important resources such as fisheries, threats to ecosystems such as oil spills, pollutants, and invasive species, and episodic events such as wildfires and climate extremes.

Gallery[]

Sources[]

Definition of Free Cultural Works logo notext.svg This article incorporates text from a free content work. License statement/permission. Text taken from UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory, UNESCO, UNESCO. To learn how to add open license text to Wikipedia articles, please see this how-to page. For information on reusing text from Wikipedia, please see the terms of use.

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k “Golden Gate Biosphere Periodic Review.” 2016. UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.
  2. ^ a b "What Makes GGNRA Special". National Park Service. Retrieved July 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ UNESCO (2020). "Statutory framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves". UNESDOC.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme". UNESCO.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Fulfilling the Three Functions". UNESCO.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c “Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting.” 2017. UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. https://nmsfarallones.blob.core.windows.net/farallones-prod/media/archive/manage/pdf/sac/17_05/ggbr_presentation.pdf.
  7. ^ "Golden Gate Biosphere". Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Retrieved July 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ a b “San Francisco Bay Area and Delta Protection.” n.d. Center for Biological Diversity. Accessed August 13, 2021. https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/san_francisco_bay_area_and_delta_protection/.
  9. ^ “Foundation Statement; Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site.” 2006. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/upload/061128-foundation-final.pdf.
  10. ^ "Hands Abound to Help Coho Salmon - Golden Gate National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-08-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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