摘要：Biosphere reserves (BRs) and Natural World Heritage sites (NWHs) both include nature reserves. NWHs are defined by UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention (WHC), while BRs are a UNESCO project. Therefore, Member States need to protect the universal outstanding values of their NWHs in accordance with decisions by the World Heritage Committee. In contrast, recommendations are provided regarding BRs at their registration and every 10 years thereafter. The difference between the two is that World Heritage status helps preserve value, and biosphere reserve status help to create it (UNESCO, 2011). For these purposes, an NWH is a strict nature reserve while a BR is a model site for sustainable development. NWHs consist only of the property surrounded by a buffer zone outside the NWH site, while BRs consist of core areas, buffer zones and transition areas. The core areas are designed to protect nature and eliminate human activity. For BRs, transition areas are as important as core areas. In the case of the Ogasawara Islands NWH, a regional liaison committee was organized to promote smooth and appropriate protection and management of the natural environment through close cooperation and coordination with governments, governmental agencies, islanders and other interested parties. In addition, a wide range of expert advice is available from the Scientific Council for Natural World Heritage in Ogasawara. In this way, participatory approaches are respected in Japan’s Natural World Heritage sites.
