Caribbean flamingo nests, Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán, Mexico

© Claudio Contreras/Minden Picture

Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán, Mexico

Biosphere reserves may sound like a scientific mouthful, but they're essentially nature's sweet spots—places where biodiversity, or variety of life on Earth, thrives. These areas, recognised by UNESCO, keep ecosystems healthy, protect endangered species and help regulate climate through forests, wetlands and other crucial habitats. There are 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries. From the lush greenery of Sundarbans in India to the vast expanses of the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve in Australia, each reserve is unique.

Let's visit another one of these—the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Yucatán, Mexico, a UNESCO-protected sanctuary since 2004. Its lush forests and savannas cradle over 550 vertebrate species, including 142 species that are found only here. There are over 400 bird species in this reserve, including a large population of flamingos whose nests are seen in today's image. Biosphere reserves are all about balance, and Ría Lagartos is a prime example. Fishing, ecotourism and even salt production are done in ways that respect the environment.