UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Iran GENO


	General Description		The Geno Biosphere Reserve is situated in the very south of the Zagros Mountains, close to the Persian Gulf and the Hara Biosphere Reserve. In Geno, the warm and humid region of the Persian Gulf in the west and the arid deserts of central Iran are separated by mountains reaching an altitude of more than 3,000 meters above sea level. In this biosphere reserve, the change of vegetation with elevation and varying microclimatic conditions can be observed very well. Several hot springs are located in the valleys. In 2000, about 40,300 people lived in the biosphere reserve who are mainly engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, labouring and small industries and tourism. Main problems for the implementation of the biosphere reserve concept come from overgrazing, land use changes for agriculture and forestry, illegal hunting, traffic and unorganized tourism. A research and monitoring station is situated within the biosphere reserve.
	Major ecosystem type		Cold-winter deserts and semi-deserts
	Major habitats & land cover types		Mountain habitats; desert vegetation; hot springs; deep canyons
	Location		27°18' to 27°29'N; 55°56' to 56°18'E
	Area (hectares)
	Total		27,500
	Core area(s)
	Buffer zone(s)
	Transition area(s) when given
	Altitude (metres above sea level)		+50 to +2,347
	Year designated		1976
	Administrative authorities		Department of the Environment

	Brief description		Monitoring of wildlife
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		n.a.
	Biodiversity		Methodologies, wildlife.
	Socio-economic		n.a.
	Integrated monitoring		n.a.

	Contact address		Department of the Environment P.O. Box 15875-5181 Tehran Iran
	Telephone		(98.21) 826 99 14
	Fax		(98.21) 826 99 14
	E-mail		mfazel@chamran.ut.ac.ir

Last updated: 2/28/2000