Condition Monitoring of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales

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.

Identifier: NRW_DS110510

Alternative Title

Monitro cyflwr Safleoedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig (SoDdGA) Cymru

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).

Dataset Reference Date (Publication): 2015-12-31

Temporal Extent

Begin date: 1999-01-01

End date: 2015-12-31

Topic category

Environment
Biota

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

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=/

Originator

Various contractors

See Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/

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

Geographic Extent: Wales (WLS)

Format Type and Description

Documents 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.

Data quality

Quality Scope: Dataset

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
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

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Species distribution

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2008-06-01

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus

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

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2023-12-31

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Keywords

NRW SMNR Vocabulary

Natural Resources (incl. Features and Processes) (SMNR)
Ecosystem (SMNR)
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
Sea and Coast (SMNR)
Water Resources (SMNR)
Management Areas (SMNR)
Woodlands (SMNR)
Animals, Plants and Other Organisms (SMNR)
Coastal Margins (SMNR)
Water Quality (SMNR)
Mountains, Moorland and Heaths (SMNR)
Hydrological Processes (SMNR)
Marine (SMNR)
Soil and Land (SMNR)
Physical Geography (physiography) (SMNR)
Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR)

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Revision): 2023-12-27

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords

Code: British National Grid (EPSG::27700)

Content Information

NRW Profile

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

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type: 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

Use constraints type: 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

File Identifier: 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313130353130 XML

Metadata Language: English

Parent Identifier: Common Standards Monitoring (CSM)
NRW_DS46198

Resource type: Dataset

Metadata Date: 2024-05-31T09:38:44.862Z

Metadata Standard Name: NRW

Metadata Standard Version: 1.0

pointOfContact

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Publishing Body

Access the portal

Full access to the portal and metadata.

Condition Monitoring of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales

Identification

Temporal Extent

Extent

Extent

Distribution

Quality

Data quality

Keywords

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Spatial Reference System

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Access Constraints Directive

Access Constraints Text

Use Constraints

Metadata

Metadata

Publishing Body