4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313130353130 English NRW_DS46198 Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en 2026-06-26T08:00:50.188Z NRW 1.0 wel British National Grid (EPSG::27700) Condition Monitoring of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales Condition Monitoring of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales Monitro cyflwr Safleoedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig (SoDdGA) Cymru 2015-12-31 NRW_DS110510 The Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) series has developed since 1949 as the suite of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. Originally notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, SSSIs were re-notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. These sites are also used to underpin other national and international nature conservation designations. The SSSIs designation may extend into intertidal areas out to the jurisdictional limit of local authorities. In Wales, the limit is Mean Low Water for SSSIs notified before 2002, and, for more recent notifications, the limit of Lowest Astronomical Tides (LAT), where the features of interest extend down to LAT. Condition monitoring of SSSIs is essential to determine whether or not they are in satisfactory condition. This dataset contains the results of a single rapid review exercise and a programme of Common Standards Monitoring carried out by the former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to assess the condition of SSSI features in Wales. The data from the rapid review monitoring was collected to provide an indicative picture of the condition of a sample of SSSI features. Common Standards Monitoring data is collected and assessed against a set of agreed criteria to provide an indication of the condition in each case. The first cycle of common standards monitoring took place between 2001 and 2006. The first rapid review exercise was carried out in 2003 and was updated in 2006. The Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) series has developed since 1949 as the suite of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. Originally notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, SSSIs were re-notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. These sites are also used to underpin other national and international nature conservation designations. The SSSIs designation may extend into intertidal areas out to the jurisdictional limit of local authorities. In Wales, the limit is Mean Low Water for SSSIs notified before 2002, and, for more recent notifications, the limit of Lowest Astronomical Tides (LAT), where the features of interest extend down to LAT. Condition monitoring of SSSIs is essential to determine whether or not they are in satisfactory condition. This dataset contains the results of a single rapid review exercise and a programme of Common Standards Monitoring carried out by the former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to assess the condition of SSSI features in Wales. The data from the rapid review monitoring was collected to provide an indicative picture of the condition of a sample of SSSI features. Common Standards Monitoring data is collected and assessed against a set of agreed criteria to provide an indication of the condition in each case. The first cycle of common standards monitoring took place between 2001 and 2006. The first rapid review exercise was carried out in 2003 and was updated in 2006. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Various including volunteer recorders c/o Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ Various contractors See Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme monitoring (see specific types of monitoring eg. woodland monitoring) statutory sites Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) site condition monitoring Common Standards Monitoring (CSM) feature NRW Thesaurus 2026-03-04 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2024-06-19 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.rdf+xml Soil and Land (SMNR) Ecosystem (SMNR) Management Areas (SMNR) Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR) Sea and Coast (SMNR) Coastal Margins (SMNR) Marine (SMNR) Woodlands (SMNR) Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) Animals, Plants and Other Organisms (SMNR) Water Quality (SMNR) Physical Geography (Physiography) (SMNR) Water Resources (SMNR) Hydrological Processes (SMNR) Mountains, Moorland and Heaths (SMNR) NRW SMNR Keywords 2024-06-26 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords Part of this dataset is sensitive and restricted as it contains data exempt from general release under EIR. Sensitive data must be kept confidential; general release is not permitted due to risk of harm to the environment or third parties. [See NRW guidance on Ecological data and information exempt from general release] no limitations © CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under provision and in line with the terms of a NRW licence and NRWs guidance on Ecological data exempt from general release. English environment biota SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 Wales (WLS) -5.777741 -2.608865 51.240829 53.512067 1999-01-01 2015-12-31 A rapid review of SSSI feature condition in Wales autumn 2003 : executive Report Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales : 31st March 2005 Documents [A] High level data held on Excel spreadsheets. [B] Supporting data (e.g. field data, maps etc) are held typically on excel spreadsheets and MapInfo GIS. Where work is done by contractors: [C] Raw species and habitat data is presented on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. [D] A report in hardcopy and electronically (provided on CD ROM). [E] Rapid review data published in report. Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation. false The first 6 year cycle of Common Standards Monitoring focussed on Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) features, however as many of these sites are also SSSIs the data could also be used to assess condition for a number of SSSI features. Some specific SSSI monitoring takes place on a limited number of sites. Rapid review monitoring was undertaken based on an assessment of best available information for features (e.g. survey data, field visits). The first 6 year cycle of Common Standards Monitoring focussed on Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) features, however as many of these sites are also SSSIs the data could also be used to assess condition for a number of SSSI features. Some specific SSSI monitoring takes place on a limited number of sites. Rapid review monitoring was undertaken based on an assessment of best available information for features (e.g. survey data, field visits).