 Its designation as a biosphere reserve was due to the important world heritage values and human use values it contained.Some of these values included being a key breeding zone for the critically endangered Orange-bellied parrot, remnants of Aboriginal occupation and other historic heritage sites such as the Melaleuca – Port Davey Area Plan (Tasmania Parks and Wildlife 2003, p 2).This was followed by a World Heritage listing in 1982 which was then expanded to its current size.