Islas Marias Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 2010, in Mexico. Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve is a remote Pacific archipelago off western Mexico. The reserve’s constituent islands run north-west to south-east and rise from sea level to about 640 metres, with rugged volcanic landforms on land and productive tropical waters offshore. Long isolation over more than eight million years has produced a notable set of Mexican endemics. The reserve’s objectives focus on conserving and restoring dry tropical forests, crassicaule scrub and the mangroves of María Magdalena and María Cleofas, together with surrounding reefs and pelagic waters. Carefully managed, science-based use is enabled and capacity is built through coordinated research, monitoring and environmental education.