A Cagar Biosfer area selects an ecosystem consisting of scientifically and uniquely diverse plants and animals. "There is an urgent need to preserve the sustainability of the Earth's natural heritage for future generations. Each UNESCO Biosphere Reserve serves as an open laboratory for scientific development and innovation, as a place that can connect human life and nature," said UNESCO Director Audrey Azoulay, as quoted by Lonely Planet.
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A Biosphere Reserve area has three zones, each with its own specific function: Core Zone, Buffer Zone, and Transition Zone. The Core Zone functions to maintain the sustainability of the main ecosystem in the area and minimize the impact on its continuity as much as possible to ensure that various species, biodiversity, and the surrounding environment are preserved as they originally were. Permission from the manager is required to carry out activities in the core zone.
Activities carried out in the core zone must have the least impact on the existing ecosystem, such as research and education. The Buffer Zone acts as a protective barrier between the core zone and the surrounding areas, allowing for sustainable development and human activities that are compatible with the conservation objectives of the biosphere reserve. It serves as a transition area where activities such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism can take place, while still maintaining the overall ecological balance.
The buffer zone serves as a protective barrier for the main zone. It surrounds the core zone, which is typically used for various activities that are broader in scope than the core zone itself. The buffer zone allows for economic utilization while still prohibiting the exploitation of nature.
In the buffer zone, activities such as research, education, recreation, ecotourism, and similar endeavors can take place. The Transition Zone, in particular, experiences the most intense interaction between humans and nature. In this zone, communities are allowed to familiarize themselves with the environment and nature for their own benefit. However, this is done under the supervision of authorized parties and with a focus on proper and responsible management of natural resources.
Agriculture, business ventures, research, and other activities can be observed in the transition zone. The Togean Islands in Tojo Una-Una Regency are one of the 701 biosphere reserves in 124 countries worldwide. Geographically located in the middle of Tomini Bay, the Togean Islands cover approximately 755.4 square kilometers of land and consist of around 66 islands with a marine area of approximately 336,773 hectares. Among these islands, seven are designated as strategic forest conservation areas, namely Una-Una Island, Batudaka Island, Togean Island, Tatako Island, Malenge Island, Walea Kodi Island, and Walea Besar Island.
The Togean Islands are renowned for their rich coral reefs and diverse marine life, including rare and protected species of plants and animals. According to the Marine Rapid Assessment Program (RAP), there are 262 species of coral belonging to 19 families found in 25 coral reef sites scattered across the Togean Islands. One unique endemic coral species found in the Togean Islands is the Accropora togeanensis, which was observed in 11 coral reef sites.
In addition, six new species of coral were discovered, including one species each from the genera Acropora, Porites, Leptoseris, Echinophyllia, and two species from the genus Galaxea. The coral reef ecosystem in the Togean Islands is also home to 596 species of reef fish belonging to 62 families. The Paracheilinus togeanensis and Ecsenius sp are strongly believed to be endemic species that can only be found in the Togean Islands. Furthermore, there are 555 species of mollusks belonging to 103 families, including 336 species of Gastropoda, 211 species of Bivalvia, 2 species of Cephalopoda, 2 species of Scaphopoda, and 4 species of Chiton (quoted from wikipedia.org Togean Islands National Park).