Priority Ecological Networks
Priority Ecological Networks (PENs) in the terrestrial environment are versions of the all-Wales habitat networks that show areas of connectivity between Protected Sites, and as such provide a framework to inform the location of action to build functional resilient ecological networks based on our most important places for biodiversity. Typical actions would be habitat improvement, restoration, or creation, located within the boundaries of a PEN, or situated at its margins to consolidate, extend, or link different PENs. These PENs supersede the GIS layers that were previously known as ‘Level 2 networks’, and are available for: Native woodland; Semi-natural grassland; Heathland; Bog; Fen and Sand Dune. All these priority networks are also represented as a ‘PEN Ho tspot’ map, which is a simple count of all available networks within a given 1km square for an ‘at a glance’ view across Wales. In addition, the ‘native woodland’ and ‘semi-natural grassland’ PENs have both received updates in the form of additional networks to accommodate our latest protected sites series and survey information and expand beyond what was originally available. Heathland, Bog and Fen have been merged from their originally separate upland and lowland versions into singular datasets and a previously unreleased ‘sand dune’ network is also now included. A Freshwater PEN is planned. At sea, an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas (MPAs) has been established which, when measures are in place to bring about good condition, will form the marine Resilient Ecological Network. Connectivity within the MPA Network is inherently good, however some of the features (species and habitats for which the sites are designated) are known to be in unfavourable condition. The marine Priority Ecological Network (MPEN) map shows the full extent of the MPA network, highlighting the sites where one or more features are known to be in unfavourable condition. In the highlighted areas, action is needed to deliver measures that restore features, reduce pressures to enable their recovery, or gather evidence needed to support effective management.
dataset
https://datamap.gov.wales/layergroups/geonode:nrw_priority_ecological_networks
name: View and Download
https://datamap.gov.wales/capabilities/layergroup/4785/?ows_service=wms
name: Web Mapping Service
125572
https://naturalresources.wales
eng
biota
Habitats and biotopes
publication
2023-08-11
-5.77774100
-2.60886500
53.51306700
51.24082900
publication
2023-08-11
Wales (WLS)
2008-01-01
2023-05-23
publication
2023-08-03
irregular
These individual map layers are a modelled description of current connectivity between habitats and as such should be considered as descriptive, rather than prescriptive!
© CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right 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.
There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
owner
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
originator
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
pointOfContact
2023-08-10