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Biosphere Living

Rooiels sits within the UNESCO-recognised Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve – the first biosphere reserve in South Africa. It spans more than 100,000 hectares of spectacular mountains, fynbos, coastal plains and marine areas along the Western Cape coast. It’s celebrated as the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, which is a unique centre of plant diversity.

What is a biosphere reserve?

A biosphere reserve is a special area recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), which aims to foster harmonious coexistence between people and nature, bringing environmental stewardship and sustainable living into everyday life for local communities. The biosphere is not a fenced reserve, it’s a living landscape where people and nature coexist. Conservation, sustainable development and cultural values work together in a living experiment where the interests of both nature and people are acknowledged and respected. Living in a biosphere means recognising people as part of the ecosystem.

rooiels-biosphere-living-map-img
Source: Klaver et al., “Learning through Place-Based Implementation of the UNESCO MAB Program in South Africa’s Oldest Biosphere Reserve: A Case Study of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve,” Land 13(4), 455 (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040455

The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has three zones. 

  1. Core zones (marked in dark green)
    These are protected zones which prioritise biodiversity and natural processes.
  2. Buffer zones (marked in light green)
    These areas abut the core zones, and allow limited activities such as research, education and conservation projects which are not detrimental to the ecology of the core zones.
  3. Transition zones (marked in yellow)
    These are outer zones where communities live and work sustainably.

What does it mean for Rooiels?

Rooiels is in a transition zone, surrounded by buffer zone on one side and core zone on the other, in one of the most biodiverse landscapes on Earth. Our unique situation has helped shape Rooiels’ identity as a community rooted in nature, with a responsibility to protect, care for and live sustainably in balance with the natural environment. 

This includes:

  • Being mindful of the impact of our choices on local ecosystems and biodiversity.

  • Valuing coexistence with nature as a guiding principle in community life.

  • Engaging with neighbours and the wider community to support shared environmental goals.

  • Supporting education, awareness, and research that deepens understanding of Rooiels’ unique environment.

  • Fostering a culture of stewardship, where sustainable practices are encouraged, shared, and celebrated.

The Rooiels Vision, and the practical guidance on the Living the Vision pages are aligned with MAB principles, and tailored for our daily lives in the village. By weaving them into our daily choices, Rooiels contributes to the global mission of biospheres – a sustainable future where people and nature thrive together.