Internationally important nature values, and the types of environments created by means of livelihood, characteristic to the area, are studied in UNESCO´s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. The Biosphere Reserve is not a traditional protected area, because the activities of people in it play an important role. The goal of the programme is to develop the living conditions of the area’s inhabitants, without compromising the protection of nature and the environment.
In the North Karelian Biosphere Reserve the core areas are Petkeljärvi National Park, Patvinsuo National Park, Koivusuo Strict Nature Reserve and Kesonsuo Nature Reserve. The Archipelago Sea and West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve include the Southwestern Archipelago National Park. During 2002-2004 an international project is focusing on developing sustainable nature tourism in the area.