Habitat Mapping for Conservation and Management of the Southern Irish Sea (HABMAP)

The HABMAP project was set up in response to the need for better spatial awareness of habitat distributions in the Southern Irish Sea. This work produced habitat maps of the seabed using novel predictive modelling techniques. This dataset is related to the predictive modelling only.

The HABMAP Extension Project has built on the methods developed during the original project, and has repeated the modelling work using higher resolution / improved input datasets to help increase the accuracy of the predictive map outputs. The modelling work has also been extended to cover all of Welsh waters (previously cut-off at the Interreg funding boundary), notably including the Dee and Severn estuaries.

The purpose of this data capture was to provide seabed habitat maps that could be used for conservation and management. Project outputs might be used in strategic planning, decision making for offshore developments, Marine Protected Area selection, sensitivity mapping and mapping essential fish habitats. However, because of the way the has been produced, and the fact that some data has been modelled and derived, the maps are not appropriate to act as the sole evidence for any specific planning or regulatory decision or assessment without further supporting studies or evidence.

The project boundaries were as follows: Southern Irish Sea- land-based boundaries include the whole Welsh coast to the English border on the east side of the Dee Estuary in the north, and the whole Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel coastline in the south, extending as far as Morte Point (east of Ifracombe) in England. The southern project boundary then extends offshore (skirting the northern tip of Lundy) across to a point approximate 60km west of Waterford on the Irish coast, including the whole SE Ireland coastline and offshore banks as well as parts of the Celtic Sea. The boundary then extends northwards along the Irish coast to a point approximately 40 km north of Dublin.

Identifier: NRW_DS112503

Alternative Title

HABMAP confidence L3 L4 combined points.lyr
HABMAP confidence L3 L4 combined polygons.lyr
HABMAP L3 L4 combined points.lyr
HABMAP L3 L4 combined polygons.lyr
HABMAP Extension Project: Habitat Mapping for Conservation and Management of the Southern Irish Sea
HABMAP extension project

Metadata Language: English

Lineage: The HABMAP project used a multi-parameter predictive modelling tool to develop seabed biotope maps for the Southern Irish Sea. Existing biological and physical datasets across the whole study area were collated within a Geographical Information System (GIS) and used to construct a rule-based biotope prediction model. Data were collated for the following physical parameters: bathymetry, sediment type, temperature, wave stress, tide stress, salinity and light attenuation. (NB Bedform data was not included in the extension project modelling work as it was found to be unreliable during the original project). These data were combined in GIS to produce a single map with many cells, each with a value for each of the physical parameters. Data was also collated for seabed biotopes and these points were overlain onto the physical data layer, allowing the relationships between each biotope and the physical environment to be determined. Preference ranges of each physical parameter were then identified for each biotope, leading to the development of predictive rules that could identify other cells with the same physical data ranges. This meant that maps could be produced showing the recorded and predicted distributions for each biotope. A final map was produced which listed all recorded and predicted biotopes in each cell, in order of confidence.

Additional Information: The data used to create the model output is knows as Input data parameter maps. These have restricted access. The British Geological Society (BGS) derived seabed sediment map; Temperature data was provided by the Met Office; Bathymetry layer derived from Seazone hydrospatial dataset. Tidal and wave dataset were supplied by ABPmer (for DEFRA data layers project). There is a need to check the conditions of use before dissemination.

The datasets will not be loaded to DataMapWales as individual layers with endpoints as the data is too complex and needs to be viewed as a package. It will remain as ShareFile link only

Dataset Reference Date (Publication): 2017-08-11

Temporal Extent

Begin date: 2007-08-01

End date: 2014-06-01

Topic category

Imagery base maps earth cover
Oceans
Biota

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

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

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

Owner

ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd

Suite B, Waterside House, Town Quay, Southampton, SO14 2AQ, England

http://www.abpmer.co.uk/

Owner

British Geological Survey (BGS)

British Geological Survey (BGS), Central Enquiries, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/

Owner

Met Office

Met Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 3PB

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk

Owner

SeaZone

Howberry Park, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BA

http://www.seazone.com/index.php

Originator

Various

Enquiries Unit, Maes y Fynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW

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

Extent

Geographic Extent: Wales (WLS)

Vertical Extent

Medin Extent Keyword: benthic boundary layer

Distribution

Format Type and Description

Geographic Information System ( )

Specification

[A] Individual and collated biotope maps (present and predicted locations)- ESRI Feature Class [B] HABMAP extension project report- paper and PDF version [C] Data collation maps - ESRI Feature Class [D] An NRW science report is also to be published as part of the extension project.

Resource Locator: View and Download Data ( WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link )

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 HABMAP project used a multi-parameter predictive modelling tool to develop seabed biotope maps for the Southern Irish Sea. Existing biological and physical datasets across the whole study area were collated within a Geographical Information System (GIS) and used to construct a rule-based biotope prediction model. Data were collated for the following physical parameters: bathymetry, sediment type, temperature, wave stress, tide stress, salinity and light attenuation. (NB Bedform data was not included in the extension project modelling work as it was found to be unreliable during the original project). These data were combined in GIS to produce a single map with many cells, each with a value for each of the physical parameters. Data was also collated for seabed biotopes and these points were overlain onto the physical data layer, allowing the relationships between each biotope and the physical environment to be determined. Preference ranges of each physical parameter were then identified for each biotope, leading to the development of predictive rules that could identify other cells with the same physical data ranges. This meant that maps could be produced showing the recorded and predicted distributions for each biotope. A final map was produced which listed all recorded and predicted biotopes in each cell, in order of confidence.

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Habitats and biotopes

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2008-06-01

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

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus

habitats (see also specific types of habitats)
Irish Sea
geographical information systems (GIS)
biotopes
marine (maritime)
predictive habitat maps
HABMAP
mapping (map drawing) (cartography)(see also digital mapping)
environmental modelling

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2024-06-19

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

Keywords

SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary

Habitat extent
Habitat characterisation

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2024-06-19

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.rdf+xml

Keywords

NRW SMNR Keywords

Semi-natural Grasslands (SMNR)
Animals, Plants and Other Organisms (SMNR)
Sea and Coast (SMNR)
Coastal Margins (SMNR)
Ecosystem (SMNR)
Natural Resources (Incl. Features and Processes) (SMNR)
Soil and Land (SMNR)
Water Quality (SMNR)
Management Areas (SMNR)
Mountains, Moorland and Heaths (SMNR)
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
Soils (SMNR)
Physical Geography (Physiography) (SMNR)
Water Resources (SMNR)
Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR)
Climate (SMNR)

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2024-06-26

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

Code: Latitude and Longitude (EPSG::4326)

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

NRW Related Title: Habmap : habitat mapping for conservation and management of the southern Irish Sea

NRW Related Title: Biomor 5 : habitat mapping for conservation and management of the Southern Irish sea (HABMAP) : 1 seabed surveys

NRW Related Title: Biomor 5 : habitat mapping for conservation and management of the Southern Irish sea (HABMAP) : 2 modelling and mapping

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type: Other restrictions

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations: no limitations

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints: - Predicted habitat maps and model outputs: There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely. - Input data parameter maps: The datasets are wholly owned by third parties (BGS, Met Office, SeaZone, ABPmer). Enquirers are advised to obtain a copy from the owner/originator directly. NRW may NOT publish or disseminate it in its entirety.

Use Constraints

Use constraints type: Other restrictions

Other constraints: Predicted habitat maps and model outputs: © CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. Advice on interpretation should be sought where required. N.B Input data parameter maps: The datasets are wholly owned by third parties (BGS, Met Office, SeaZone, ABPmer). The datasets are restricted. NRW is not licenced to release this data. Those seeking a copy of this data must approach the third parties directly.

Attribution Statement

Metadata

File Identifier: 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313132353033 XML

Metadata Language: English

Parent Identifier: HABMAP Predictive Habitat Maps of the Irish Sea
NRW_DS101977

Resource type: Dataset

Metadata Date: 2024-07-16T16:30:49.399Z

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.

Habitat Mapping for Conservation and Management of the Southern Irish Sea (HABMAP)

Identification

Temporal Extent

Extent

Extent

Vertical Extent

Distribution

Distribution

Quality

Data quality

Keywords

Keywords

Citation

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

Attribution Statement

Metadata

Metadata

Publishing Body