Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recognized as part of the international network of biosphere reserves under the United Nations Educational Scientificand Cultural Organization MAB Program on Man and the Biosphere by decision of the bureau of the internationalcoordinating council, duly authorized by the council. This network of protected samples of the world's major ecosystem types is devoted to conservation of nature and scientific research in the service of man. It provides a standard against which the effect of man's impact on his environment can be measured.