Terrestrial Phase 1 Habitat Survey

This dataset holds comprehensive habitat cover data for the whole of Wales derived from a programme of field recording that was begun by the Wales Field Unit (WFU) of the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) in 1979 and continued by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) after restructuring in 1991.

The purpose of this data capture was to inform site selection, casework and policy decisions. The lowland survey was particularly used to locate grassland sites suitable for more in-depth survey for notification purposes. Habitat extent data has been derived to inform the Local Biodiversity Action Plan process. The digitisation was carried out, in the first instance, for the drafting of maps for open country and registered common land as required by the CROW Act 2000. For reporting purposes during the lowland phase of the surveys, Wales was divided up into 15 different areas based on the Nature Conservancy Council's (NCC) Areas of Search (AoS). The dataset is unique, in that it holds full census field survey habitat data for the whole of terrestrial Wales. It has been used widely for research, advice and planning both within and outside CCW.

The majority of the fieldwork was carried out 'in house' by closely co-ordinated teams of trained surveyors. Every effort was made to ensure consistency of habitat mapping. A check on surveyor accuracy during the early stages of the Phase 1 Survey revealed comparatively high repeatability levels (Kerry, S. M., Rimes, C. A., Smith, S. L. N., Williams, A. M. 1994. An assessment of errors in Phase 1 habitat survey in Wales. CCW report no. 94/4/1, Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor; Stevens, J.P., Blackstock, T.H., Howe, E.A., Stevens, D.P., 2004. Repeatability of Phase 1 habitat survey. J. Environ. Manage. 73, 53-59), and checks on the Upland Vegetation Survey data were carried out between 1994-1996 (Yeo, M.J.M., Blackstock, T.H., 2002. A vegetation analysis of the pastoral landscapes of upland Wales, UK. J. Veg. Sci. 13, 803-816).

Digital maps were checked for accuracy at three stages: by contractor (Cynefin Environmental), and by CCW (C. Burrows, L. Howe, J. Stevens, J. Rothwell). 1km square table: the data were input and checked by a contractor (C. Copp) and re-checked by CCW (C. Burrows and J. Stevens). For a detailed overview of the background, methods and outputs of the Survey see Blackstock, T. H., Howe, E. A., Stevens, J. P., Burrows, C. R., Jones, P. S. 2010. Habitats of Wales. A comprehensive field survey 1979 -1997. University of Wales Press, Cardiff.

Identifier: NRW_DS24715

Alternative Title

Phase1 Habitat.lyr
Phase1 Scattered.lyr
Phase1 Target.lyr
Phase 1 Vegetation voronoi.lyr
Phase 1 Survey area.lyr
Phase 1 Mosnotes voronoi.lyr
Phase 1 Mospolys voronoi.lyr
Habitats of Wales Phase 1 Data, 1979-1997 Lowlands and Uplands
Phase 1 Habitat Survey of Wales 1979-1997
Phase 1 Survey - Upland Vegetation Survey

Metadata Language: English

Lineage: Uplands are classified as open upland landscapes coming down as far as the upper limit of enclosure; lowlands and uplands are mutually exclusive. The fieldwork was conducted in two main stages.

Most upland areas were surveyed during the first stage (the Upland Vegetation Survey) between 1979 and1989, and areas were assigned to habitat types using the Ratcliffe and Birks classification. The survey methods employed during the initial upland phase are given in more detail in a Wales Field Unit report (Day, A. 1989. Upland vegetation survey 1979–1989. Background, methodology and summary of data collected. NCC report no. W91/2, Nature Conservancy Council, Bangor). Some upland regions were surveyed between 1991 and 1999 using the National Vegetation Classification, and small patches were covered between 1982-1992 using the NCC scheme for SSSI recording or the NCC/RSNC classification (NCC/RSNC Habitat Classification and Description, 1984). Mapping was carried out on foot, using mostly 1:10,000 scale aerial photographs for locating habitat polygons (rarely 1:25,000 during the upland stage).

The rest of Wales including all the lowlands and some previously unsurveyed upland areas was covered during the second stage (the lowland phase) between 1987-1997 and habitats assigned to the Phase I classification (Handbook for Phase I habitat survey- a technique for environmental audit, NCC, 1990), with some minor modifications adopted for use in Wales (Supplementary Notes for Phase 1 survey in Wales, Howe E.A. and Blackstock T.H., 1991, CCW, Bangor). Habitats were recorded field-by-field by using public rights of way and obtaining access permission to look more closely at some fields. Habitats were mapped onto 1:10,000 scale 5 x 5 km master-maps. The minimum size of habitat patch recorded lies predominantly within the range 0.1 – 0.25 ha, although smaller areas were mapped in the in lowlands.

Additional Information: With such a vast dataset (approximately 481,000 polygons and 434,000 points), it is inevitable that some transcription errors remain. Users detecting significant differences between the digital data and the habitat maps from which they were derived are encouraged to report these to Jonathan Rothwell (from NRW) quoting polygon Unique_ID.

About 30% of the upland polygons are mixed habitat and therefore should not be used to calculate habitat area. A voronoi version of the vegetation layer has been crested to help address this. The 1 km square dataset is the definitive source of habitat area statistics. Phase 2 Lowland Grassland Survey of Wales (Tir Stent site number SH71/2)

Dataset Reference Date (Publication): 2023-08-16

Temporal Extent

Begin date: 1979-01-01

End date: 1997-12-31

Topic category

Environment
Farming

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

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

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

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)

Distribution

Format Type and Description

Documents ( )

Specification

[A] Paper Reports for each upland site mapped by the Upland Vegetation Survey and for survey areas mapped by the Phase 1 Survey, Paper Maps, ESRI Feature Class (ArcGIS), Paradox 5 table (now in Access Database): Original maps from the Upland Vegetation Survey and NVC surveys are available on paper. The Phase 1 Survey 'master maps' are available on paper (lodged at the National Library of Wales) and as scanned images in MapInfo and ArcGIS (as a seamless layer, and split by 5x5 km square). [D] Target notes (about 17 000 individual notes, including about 3000 to 4000 duplicate locations) on paper. Available as PDF and JPEG scans. Paper records in off site storage.
Geographic Information System ( )

Specification

[B] Habitats mapped as digital polygons (vector data) in MapInfo and ArcGIS tables, in both the original format and the voronoi version. Dominant species codes are included point layers hold the location of Phase 1 target notes, Phase 1 scattered vegetation, and habitat locations in mixed habitat polygons from the Upland Vegetation Survey. [C] 1km square table in MapInfo and ArcGIS. Inventory of Phase 1 level habitat area for every grid square in Wales. The table includes information on grid reference, northings, easting and precision and Twinspan classification. There are separate habitat area measurements for uplands and lowlands. Data also stored in Access.

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

Resource Locator: Web Mapping Service ( OGC:WMS )

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: Uplands are classified as open upland landscapes coming down as far as the upper limit of enclosure; lowlands and uplands are mutually exclusive. The fieldwork was conducted in two main stages.

Most upland areas were surveyed during the first stage (the Upland Vegetation Survey) between 1979 and1989, and areas were assigned to habitat types using the Ratcliffe and Birks classification. The survey methods employed during the initial upland phase are given in more detail in a Wales Field Unit report (Day, A. 1989. Upland vegetation survey 1979–1989. Background, methodology and summary of data collected. NCC report no. W91/2, Nature Conservancy Council, Bangor). Some upland regions were surveyed between 1991 and 1999 using the National Vegetation Classification, and small patches were covered between 1982-1992 using the NCC scheme for SSSI recording or the NCC/RSNC classification (NCC/RSNC Habitat Classification and Description, 1984). Mapping was carried out on foot, using mostly 1:10,000 scale aerial photographs for locating habitat polygons (rarely 1:25,000 during the upland stage).

The rest of Wales including all the lowlands and some previously unsurveyed upland areas was covered during the second stage (the lowland phase) between 1987-1997 and habitats assigned to the Phase I classification (Handbook for Phase I habitat survey- a technique for environmental audit, NCC, 1990), with some minor modifications adopted for use in Wales (Supplementary Notes for Phase 1 survey in Wales, Howe E.A. and Blackstock T.H., 1991, CCW, Bangor). Habitats were recorded field-by-field by using public rights of way and obtaining access permission to look more closely at some fields. Habitats were mapped onto 1:10,000 scale 5 x 5 km master-maps. The minimum size of habitat patch recorded lies predominantly within the range 0.1 – 0.25 ha, although smaller areas were mapped in the in lowlands.

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

lowlands
vegetation surveys (vegetation monitoring)(see also biologicalsurveys)
Upland vegetation Survey
Phase 1 Survey (Phase I)
baseline monitoring
vegetation (see also specific types eg.coastal or heathland vegetation and vegetation surveys)
habitat surveys (habitat monitoring)
future of the uplands
upland vegetation

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2024-06-19

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

Keywords

NRW SMNR Keywords

Ecosystem (SMNR)
Semi-natural Grasslands (SMNR)
Coastal Margins (SMNR)
Cultural Services (SMNR)
Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR)
Natural Resources (Incl. Features and Processes) (SMNR)
Animals, Plants and Other Organisms (SMNR)
Woodlands (SMNR)
Supporting Services (SMNR)
Mountains, Moorland and Heaths (SMNR)
Regulating Services (SMNR)
Management Areas (SMNR)
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
Soil and Land (SMNR)
Provisioning Services (SMNR)
Soils (SMNR)

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2024-06-26

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

Code: British National Grid (EPSG::27700)

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

NRW Related Title: An assessment of errors in Phase I habitat survey in Wales. Confidential

NRW Related Title: Habitats of Wales : a comprehensive field study, 1979-1997

NRW Related Title: Supplementary notes for phase 1 survey in Wales

NRW Related Title: Biological survey of common land No. 7 : Ceredigion District Dyfed : a survey of the biological characteristics and management of common land

NRW Related Title: Biological survey of common land No. 25 : Gwynedd part 2 appendix F complete set of site cards of surveyed commons

NRW Related Title: Cwm Idwal NNR : NVC survey 1995

NRW Related Title: Upland vegetation survey 1979-1989 : background, methodology and summary of data collected

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 1 : Mynydd Llangattock

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 2 : Cothi-Tywi and Mynydd Mallaen

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 3 : Abergwesyn

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 4 : Plynlimon

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 5 : N E Carneddau

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 6 : Llynoedd Ieuan SSSI

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 7 : Pwllpeiran experimental husbandry farm

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 8 : Mynydd Du (east) Hereford/Gwent

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 9 : Radnor Forest

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 10 : Gwaunceste, Glascwm, Rhulen, Beacon Hill

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 11 : Tan y Gadair (part of Cadair Idris)

NRW Related Title: Upland vegetation survey. section 2 : site reports number 12 : Mynydd Du Brecknock/Dinefwr

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 13 : Hiraethog Denbigh Moors

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 14 : Moel Hebog

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 15 : Pen y Fan and Fforest Fawr

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 16 : Mynydd Llangynidr

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 17 : West Glamorgan uplands : evaluation & survey

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 18 : Mynydd Du, Mynydd Llangorse, Mynydd Troed

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 19 : Sennybridge Training Area and Pant-y-llyn- Hill/ Cefn Gledwen

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 20 : Prescelly Summits and Carningli Common

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 21 : Rhinogydd

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 22 : Mid Glamorgan evaluation and survey

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 23 : Eryri. In confidence

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 24 : Berwyn NCR (In Confidence)

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 26 : Arenig Fawr

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 27 : Rhobell fawr

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 28 : Arenig Fach and Cwm Hesgyn

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 29 : Nantlle Ridge

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 30 : Arans

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 31 : Clwydian Range

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 32 : evaluation of Gwent uplands and selection of Gwent upland SSSI on botanical grounds

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 33 : Llandegla Moor SSSI

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 34 : Ruabon Mountain and Eglwyseg Rocks

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 35 : Llantysilio Mountain, Clwyd

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 36 : Halkyn Mountain Clwyd

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 37 : Moel y Ci, West Gwynedd

NRW Related Title: Upland Vegetation Survey. Section 2 : Site Reports Number 38 : Cadair Idris

NRW Related Title: ...(24)

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. The associated target notes do contain personal data which may not be released without permission. There are redacted versions of these sensitive targets notes available to the public.

Use Constraints

Use constraints type: Other restrictions

Other constraints: © CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right. Non-sensitive data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and copyright of the owners. 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. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right.

Licence

Other constraints: Open Government Licence

Metadata

File Identifier: 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-3234373135 XML

Metadata Language: English

Resource type: Dataset

Metadata Date: 2024-07-25T15:02:50.242Z

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.

Terrestrial Phase 1 Habitat Survey

Identification

Temporal Extent

Extent

Extent

Distribution

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

Attribution Statement

Licence

Metadata

Metadata

Publishing Body