Identification

Title

Modelling of Habitat Networks for Welsh Woodlands, Grasslands, Heathlands, Bogs and Fens

Alternative title(s)

Modelu Rhwydweithiau Cynefinoedd ar gyfer coetiroedd, glaswelltiroedd, rhostiroedd, corsydd a ffeniau yng Nghymru

Habitat Network Layers

Connectivity layers

\Biological\Habitat Networks\

Abstract

There is a growing emphasis on ecological connectivity in planning for effective biodiversity conservation and building ecosystem resilience. A major part of this is to counteract the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation (reduction in are and increase in isolation). This is a spatial dataset consisting of maps of habitat networks originally developed by Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in collaboration with Forestry Commission Wales and Forest Research using a functional networks approach, and now managed and progressively developed by NRW. Patches of habitat and other intervening habitats through which many of their species are able to move are mapped as habitat networks. Networks have been mapped for habitats including woodland, unimproved grassland, calcareous grassland, marshy grassland, heathland, fens and bogs; in most cases these are divided into upland and lowland versions and in some cases networks that support the highest quality areas of habitat have been selected out as priority layers. Results are available for the whole of Wales as GIS layers and include three levels of habitat networks; core networks (areas within which species that require extensive habitat and disperse poorly are able to move), focal networks (areas within which species tolerant of smaller habitat patches and with greater dispersal ability are able to move), and local networks (areas within species that can persist within small habitat patches and have very limited dispersal abilities can move). Purpose of data capture was to allow the scope and range of potential networks to be rapidly explored. Predicted habitat networks can be used to guide large-scale planning for nature conservation, provide insight into how the landscape is likely to be functioning and prioritise action to improve the connectivity and viability of protected sites. Layers are arranged in two folders: Level 1, containing all outputs across Wales, and Level 2 which are selected, priority networks, within which action may be targeted to enhance functional networks of the best habitat areas.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

http://lle.gov.wales/catalogue/item/HabitatNetworks/?lang=en

Unique resource identifier

code

110501

codeSpace

https://naturalresources.wales

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

authority code

OGP

code identifying the spatial reference system

urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::BNG

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

imageryBaseMapsEarthCover

biota

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Bio-geographical regions

Habitats and biotopes

Land cover

Land use

Protected sites

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2018-05-25

Keyword set

keyword value

Habitat conservation

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2018-05-25

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-5.77774100

East bounding longitude

-2.60886500

North bounding latitude

53.51206700

South bounding latitude

51.24082900

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2018-05-25

code identifying the extent

Wales (WLS)

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2008-01-01

End position

2018-05-25

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2017-01-01

Frequency of update

irregular

Quality and validity

Lineage

'Least-cost' modelling was carried out using Forest Research's BEETLE (Biological and Environmental Tools for Landscape Ecology) tools, coupled with Habitat Survey of Wales digital dataset (Phase 1). The model is based on species characteristics, taking into account a minimum habitat area and the relative ecological cost of different habitats- relates to ease of movement through different land cover types, expressed in terms of dispersal distance in metres over a 50 year timescale. In simple terms it draws a 'buffer' around habitat patches, the width of which depends upon the assumed permeability of the intervening habitats. When buffers around patches overlap the habitat patches are considered to be part of the same habitat network with many species potentially able to move between all habitat patches within it. This project uses data from Phase 1 Habitat Survey of welsh woodlands, grasslands, heathlands and bogs and fens, supplemented with National Forest Inventory data for woodland.

Conformity

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

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

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

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

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

owner

Responsible party

organisation name

Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

organisation name

Forestry Commission Wales

telephone number

0845 6040845

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

organisation name

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

originator

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

organisation name

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

telephone number

0300 065 3000

email address

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2018-05-23

Metadata language