Biosphere reserves of Central America: a critique

Three large wildlands have been declared biosphere reserves in Central America. Each of these reserves has received World Heritage status as well. These three reserves are described and evaluated in terms of their potential to fulfill biosphere reserve objectives. All three reserves met MAB objectives in a general sense at the time of their designation, for they each protect large representative ecosystems, and each are inhabited by groups of indigenous (Amerindian) people living in a sustainable fashion with their environment. The huge task for managers is to make these areas relevant and useful to the non-indigenous people who are rapidly destroying forests near and in these biosphere reserves.