KiEco Freshwater Ecology: River Macrophytes - Geospatial

Macrophytes (water plants visible to the naked eye) can indicate the impact of pressures such as increased nutrients, flow pressures, channel alterations etc. The species present and their abundance give an indication as to the health of a river.


This dataset is made up of site information, sample metrics and taxa details for each survey conducted across Wales by Natural Resources Wales and former Environment Agency Wales since 1993. These surveys are conducted as part of on-going monitoring of river water quality for legislative requirements and to meet business drivers.

Identification

Identifier
NRW_DS161279
Alternative Title
  • KiEco Freshwater River Macrophyte Taxa.lyr
  • KiEco Freshwater River Macrophyte Site Detail.lyr
  • KiEco Freshwater River Macrophyte Sample Metric.lyr
  • NRW Freshwater Macrophytes
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

A strict methodology is applied when sampling for freshwater macrophytes. There is a core network of sites which are monitoring on a three-year rolling programme. These sites are 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 standard cover-class method is the most commonly used method for sampling freshwater macrophytes. Macrophyte species are identified on site and confirmed in the laboratory if necessary.


Redactions

Some information has be redacted to make the data openly available. This includes:

- Third party data

- Data collected for ongoing investigations

- Cancelled or incomplete surveys

- Taxa that falls within NRWs policy on Ecological data exempt from general release.


Update Frequency

This data is continually updated with the most surveys undertaken in the summer period (June to September). Data from survey seasons is entered as soon as possible following the surveys. The external dataset is updated monthly to include new data, and may also contain corrections to previously published data due to quality assurance work.


Information Warnings

We do our best to avoid data quality problems, but as these datasets reflect the data we hold, they may contain errors

The data is provided as a set of related data tables due to the quantity and structure of the data. A basic understanding of ecology and relational data is assumed.


Data related to pollution incident investigations or protected species information is not released as locational information of these sites may be detrimental to ongoing investigations or species protection.
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2026-10-20

Temporal Extent

Begin date
1993-08-19
 
Topic category
  • Biota
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
 

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 .txt file

  • Geographic Information System ( Unknown )

    Specification

    ESRI Feature Class

Resource Locator
Download Data and Web Services ( WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link )
Resource Locator
Web Mapping Service ( OGC:WMS )
 

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 macrophytes. There is a core network of sites which are monitoring on a three-year rolling programme. These sites are 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 standard cover-class method is the most commonly used method for sampling freshwater macrophytes. Macrophyte species are identified on site and confirmed in the laboratory if necessary.


Redactions

Some information has be redacted to make the data openly available. This includes:

- Third party data

- Data collected for ongoing investigations

- Cancelled or incomplete surveys

- Taxa that falls within NRWs policy on Ecological data exempt from general release.


Update Frequency

This data is continually updated with the most surveys undertaken in the summer period (June to September). Data from survey seasons is entered as soon as possible following the surveys. The external dataset is updated monthly to include new data, and may also contain corrections to previously published data due to quality assurance work.


Information Warnings

We do our best to avoid data quality problems, but as these datasets reflect the data we hold, they may contain errors

The data is provided as a set of related data tables due to the quantity and structure of the data. A basic understanding of ecology and relational data is assumed.


Data related to pollution incident investigations or protected species information is not released as locational information of these sites may be detrimental to ongoing investigations or species protection.
 

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
  • biological surveys
  • freshwater biology
  • biological monitoring
  • river ecology (see also river habitat)
  • freshwater (fresh water, open water) (see also freshwater ecology) (see also inland waters,rivers,lakes)
  • NBN Atlas
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2026-10-19
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
Latitude and Longitude (EPSG::4326)
 

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
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313631323739 XML
Metadata Language
English
Parent Identifier
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Ecological Data held in WISKI (KiEco)

NRW_DS122446
Resource type
Dataset
Metadata Date
2026-10-21T10:03:15.544Z
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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