South Kerry Development Partnership CLG

The Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The Biosphere reserve was founded in 1982 and comprised the extent of Killarney National Park, an area of circa 10,000ha. Following a Periodic Review process of the reserve in 2017, and to satisfy criterion outlined by UNESCO, the area of the reserve was extended. The extended land area was required to enable the Biosphere to incorporate a buffer and transition zone. The Killarney National Park remained as the core area of the reserve whilst the buffer and transition zones extended to include Killarney Town, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks in the west and the Pap’s Mountains in the east.

Biospheres involve local communities, and all interested stakeholders in planning and management. Our Biosphere integrates three functions:

These three functions are implemented in the Biosphere’s zones:

Core Zone: strictly protected zone managed for conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.

Buffer Zones – surrounds or adjoins the core area(s) and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.

Transition Zone – The transition area is where communities foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.

You can keep abreast of the Kerry Biosphere’s activities by following our website kerrybiosphere.ie, our social media channels on Facebook & YouTube.