KiEco Freshwater Ecology: Diatoms

Freshwater diatoms (phytobenthos) are free-living microscopic plants that form a biofilm on submerged substrates such as rock/stone or large plants. They are used as an indicator of water quality because their silica shells are easy to identify under the microscope. This dataset is made up of the relative abundance of different species within the sample from freshwater diatom surveys conducted across Wales by Natural Resources Wales and former Environment Agency Wales. These surveys are conducted as part of on-going monitoring of river water quality for legislative requirements and to meet business drivers.


A geospatial version of this dataset is available to download from DataMapWales.

Please see metadata NRW_DS125742 for more information.

Identification

Identifier
NRW_DS123303
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

A strict methodology is applied when sampling for freshwater diatoms. There is a core network of sites which are monitored on a three-yearly rolling programme. These sites may be added to for investigative work, or on an ad hoc basis. Sampling areas are located with a larger survey area and must be representative of the overall survey area. A stone scrape method is the most commonly used method for sampling freshwater diatoms. However, where necessary alternative methods are used, for example in areas with no suitable substrate. Natural Resources Wales collect and analyse in excess of 350 diatom samples from rivers and lakes every year. Once samples are collected they are sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Dataset Reference Date (Creation)
2020-03-09
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2025-09-02
Owner
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Originator
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Originator
  Environment Agency Wales (EA Wales) -
Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0TP, Wales
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
 

Extent

Extent

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


 
 

Distribution

Distribution

Format Type and Description
  • Delimited ( Unknown )

    Specification

    Data available as a csv file

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

Quality

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

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

A strict methodology is applied when sampling for freshwater diatoms. There is a core network of sites which are monitored on a three-yearly rolling programme. These sites may be added to for investigative work, or on an ad hoc basis. Sampling areas are located with a larger survey area and must be representative of the overall survey area. A stone scrape method is the most commonly used method for sampling freshwater diatoms. However, where necessary alternative methods are used, for example in areas with no suitable substrate. Natural Resources Wales collect and analyse in excess of 350 diatom samples from rivers and lakes every year. Once samples are collected they are sent to the laboratory for analysis.
 

Keywords

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Type
Theme

Citation

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

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus
  • freshwater (fresh water, open water) (see also freshwater ecology) (see also inland waters,rivers,lakes)
  • chrysophycota
  • freshwater biology
  • freshwater ecology
  • NBN Atlas
  • diatoms
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2025-01-08
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
British National Grid (EPSG::27700)
 

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

 

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type
Other restrictions
 

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations
no limitations
 

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints

There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
 

Use Constraints

Use constraints type
Other restrictions
Other constraints

© 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.
 

Attribution Statement

Other constraints

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
 

Licence

Other constraints
Open Government Licence
 
 
 

Metadata

Metadata

File Identifier
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313233333033 XML
Metadata Language
English
Resource type
Dataset
Metadata Date
2025-12-01T17:40:13.55Z
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

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