Condition Monitoring of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales
Monitro cyflwr Safleoedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig (SoDdGA) Cymru

  • English
  • wel
  • All

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.

Identification

Dynodydd
Identifier
NRW_DS110510
Teitl Amgen
Alternative Title
Laith Metadata
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

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).
Dyddiad cyfeirnod y set ddata (Cyhoeddiad)
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2015-12-31

Temporal Extent

Begin date
1999-01-01
End date
2015-12-31
 
Categori pwnc
Topic category
  • Environment
    Environment
  • Biota
    Biota
Perchennog
Owner
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Cychwynnwr
Originator
  Various including volunteer recorders -
c/o Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/
Cychwynnwr
Originator
  Various contractors -
See Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/
Cychwynnwr
Originator
  Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) -
Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW
http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/
 

Extent

Extent

Hyd
Geographic Extent
Wales (WLS)
N
W
E
S
Map representing the geographic extent of the dataset


 
 

Distribution

Fformat - Math a Disgrifiad
Format Type and Description
  • Documents ( )

    Specification

    [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.

 

Quality

Ansawdd Data
Data quality

Cwmpas Ansawdd
Quality Scope
Dataset
Dataset
Cydymffurfiad
Conformity
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
Explanation

This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
Degree
false
Lineage

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).
 

Keywords

Allweddair
Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Math
Type
Theme
Theme

Dyfyniad
Citation

Dyddiad (Cyhoeddiad)
Date (Publication)
2008-06-01
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Allweddair
Keywords

NRW Thesaurus
  • statutory sites
  • Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
  • Common Standards Monitoring (CSM)
  • feature
  • site condition monitoring
  • monitoring (see specific types of monitoring eg. woodland monitoring)
Math
Type
Theme
Theme

Dyfyniad
Citation

Dyddiad (Cyhoeddiad)
Date (Publication)
2026-08-27
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Allweddair
Keywords

NRW SMNR Keywords
  • Sea and Coast (SMNR)
  • Water Resources (SMNR)
  • Coastal Margins (SMNR)
  • Management Areas (SMNR)
  • Animals, Plants and Other Organisms (SMNR)
  • Soil and Land (SMNR)
  • Marine (SMNR)
  • Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR)
  • Ecosystem (SMNR)
  • Water Quality (SMNR)
  • Mountains, Moorland and Heaths (SMNR)
  • Physical Geography (Physiography) (SMNR)
  • Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
  • Woodlands (SMNR)
  • Hydrological Processes (SMNR)
Math
Type
Theme
Theme

Dyfyniad
Citation

Dyddiad (Cyhoeddiad)
Date (Publication)
2024-06-26
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
British National Grid (EPSG::27700)
 

Content

Gwybodaeth Cynnwys
Content Information

Proffil CNC
NRW Profile

Elfennau CNC
Custom Elements

NRW Related Title

A rapid review of SSSI feature condition in Wales autumn 2003 : executive Report
NRW Related Title

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales : 31st March 2005
 

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Math o Gyfyngiad
Restriction type
Other restrictions
Other restrictions
 

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations
no limitations
 

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints

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]
 

Use Constraints

Cyfyngiadau Defnyddio
Use constraints type
Other restrictions
Other restrictions
Other constraints

© 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.
 
 
 

Metadata

Metadata

Dynodydd Ffeil
File Identifier
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313130353130 XML
Laith Metadata
Metadata Language
English
Parent Identifier
Common Standards Monitoring (CSM)

NRW_DS46198
Math o adnodd
Resource type
Dataset
Dataset
Dyddiad Metadata
Metadata Date
2026-09-28T14:01:35.945Z
Enw Safonol Metadata
Metadata Standard Name
NRW
Fersiwn Metadata
Metadata Standard Version

1.0

Pwynt Cyswllt
pointOfContact
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 
 

Publishing Body

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