Berchtesgadener Land Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1990, in Germany. The Berchtesgadener Land biosphere reserve lies in the Berchtesgaden Alps, 150 km south-east of Munich on the border with Austria, and forms part of the Northern Limestone Alps. It is the only alpine biosphere reserve in Germany. It covers alpine landscapes and their foothills with lower areas. Elevation ranges from 380 to 2,700 metres above sea level. The reserve therefore encompasses riparian, submontane, montane and subalpine forests, as well as alpine and lowland meadows. Small-scale agriculture gives the landscape its characteristic features. The core area and buffer zone are identical with Berchtesgaden National Park, which includes the famous Lake Königssee. Local communities depend greatly on tourism.