Biosphere
status has been awarded by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere
(MAB) programme.
It was originally conferred on South West Scotland
because of the important upland habitats found in the National Nature
Reserves at Silver Flowe and Cairnsmore of Fleet. These include
extensive mire, blanket bog, montane acid grassland and wet heath.
These areas are also home to nationally important breeding bird
and invertebrate populations.
The Biosphere designation recognises
habitats within or close to the Galloway Forest Park. The Park attracts
800,000 visitors each year. Over 25,000 people live close by. | 
