Geology and topology determine the microclimates with their continental or Atlantic flavours even reaching Mediterranean and sub-montane in parts. The almost Saharan dryness of the sand and limestone plateaux gives way to the coolness of the oak and beech forests.
The forest which covers 54% of the territory of the Biosphere Reserve is mainly (92%) state owned. It is composed of mixed forest (oak, beech, Scots pines ...), heath-land, meadows and sand rock ponds. These natural conditions have allowed the development of an exceptionally rich fauna and flora: there are 6800 species of animals including more than 5000 insects and 5700 species of plant.
In 1948 at Fontainebleau, the French government and UNESCO founded the IUCN (World Conservation Union). So, in 1998 Fontainebleau celebrated its 50th anniversary in the UICN which was held from November 3rd to 5th 1998.
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15 communes are concerned by the central and buffer zones: Avon, Bois le Roi, Bourron-Marlotte, Chailly en Bière, Dammarie les Lys, Fontainebleau, La Rochette, Milly la Forêt, Montigny sur Loing, Recloses, Samois sur Seine, Thomery, Ury, Villiers en Bière, Veneux les Sablons.
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| Region : Ile de France
Départements : Seine et Marne (77), Essonne (91) et Loiret (45) Latitude : 48° 23' north Altitude (min/max) :42 m (La Dame Woods / 146 m (Augas Cross) |
Main ecosystem: temperate forest or wooded landscapes
Central area: 3 874 hectares Buffer areas: 13 496 hectares Cooperation area: 50 000 hectares (mainly private land) Approximate population: 60 100 in 1990 |
Address :
Association de la Réserve de Biosphère du pays de Fontainebleau et du Gâtinais français
route Denecort
77300 Fontainebleau
France
Coordinateur : Guillaume Couturier
Tel : +33 (0)1 60 70 35 84
e-mail : biosphere-fontainebleau-gatinaisfrancais@mab-france.org
© MAB-France, 2004
Contact : webmestre
