AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Broadscale remote survey and mapping of sublittoral habitats and their associated biota in the Firth of Lorn: biotopes

Methodologies for broad scale mapping of sublittoral habitats and biota based on acoustic remote sensing was developed as the Broadscale Mapping Project (BMP), a three year project funded by a consortium consisting of the Crown Estate, the Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and Newcastle University through the SeaMap Research Group. The project was also supported by the European Commission’s Life programme. The Firth of Lorn study area was selected by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) because it encompassed a wide range of physical environmental conditions and had considerable existing conservation value. Part of the BMP study area was recently put forward as a possible Special Area of Conservation in recognition of the significant marine biological interest of both intertidal and subtidal rocky reefs. A nested survey strategy was developed for the Firth of Lorn which involved careful pre-planning and iterative field survey. By adopting this nested and iterative approach, the overall summary maps comprise a jigsaw of small maps where the underlying data vary in their level of detail. The main features and biota were mapped using  acoustic remote sensing techniques combined with biological sampling. Linking the biological data with the acoustic data was completed using classification techniques developed for processing satellite images.

Additional information source:

Davies, J., 1999. Broad scale remote survey and mapping of sublittoral habitats and their associated biota in the Firth of Lorn. Report for SNH

Tags: AGDS, Corpulent, GB100014, Grabs, MNCR, Marine, Nature Conservation, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS, Side scan sonar, Towed video, Translated to EUNIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Sullom Voe benthic biotope map

Envision Mapping was sub-contracted by Heriot Watt University for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to undertake broad scale subtidal biotope mapping of Sullom Voe cSAC. Sullom Voe in the Shetland Isles is the most northerly site in the UK to be selected as a representative of large shallow inlets and bays, and within the site series it is the only Scottish example of a ria (known locally as a ‘voe’). The boreal-arctic (northern) species-rich communities of Sullom Voe are restricted to Shetland voes and are not represented elsewhere in the SAC series. The purpose was to map the main features and biota using  acoustic remote sensing techniques combined with grab and video sampling.

Additional information source:

Sotheran, I., et al. 2005. Report for Sublittoral Biotope Mapping of Sullom Voe cSAC.

Tags: AGDS, Corpulent, GB100011, Grabs, MNCR, Marine, Nature Conservation, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS, Towed video, Translated to EUNIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Moray Firth benthic biotope map

Envision Mapping Ltd was contracted to undertake a survey of the Moray Firth cSAC within the 30m contour. The purpose was to map the main sediment features and biota using  acoustic remote sensing techniques combined with grab and video sampling. A RoxAnn™ acoustic ground discrimination system was used in conjunction with a GeoSwath™ interferometric swath bathymetric system. The survey was comprehensive (100% cover with the swath system or a minimum track spacing of 80m) over priority areas but incomplete over areas outside these priority areas. The biotopes were classified using the most recent Marine Habitat Classification (Connor et al. 2004) using a combination of multivariate analysis and video analysis and matching the characterising species to the classification system.

Additional information source:

Foster-Smith, R.L., et al., 2005. Sublittoral Biotope Mapping & Survey of the Moray Firth Candidate SAC Project

Tags: AGDS, Corpulent, GB100005, Grabs, Interferometric sonar, MNCR, Marine, Nature Conservation, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS, Towed video, Translated to EUNIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Broadscale mapping of sublittoral habitats in the Sound of Barra: south west of South Uist

This map covers the area in the north of The Sound of Barra, at the south-western end of South Uist.The Sound of Barra has been selected as a possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) on the basis of the nationally important colony of common seals, Phoca vitulina, and also for the wide variety of habitats associated with shallow ‘sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time’. A number of the sandbank habitats are of considerable conservation value, most notably the extensive beds of the eelgrass Zostera marina and tide-swept maerl beds composed of the coralline red alga Phymatolithon calcareum. A comprehensive biotope mapping survey of the sublittoral habitats within the Sound was undertaken in August 2001, by a collaborative research group from the University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh University and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This information supplemented the existing knowledge on the distribution of marine communities within the Sound of Barra pSAC and all this information was synthesised into a series of biotope classification maps.

Additional information source:

Bates, C. R., Moore, C. G., Malthus, T., Harries, D. B., Austin, W., Mair, J. M. and Karpouzli, E. (2004). Broad scale mapping of sublittoral habitats in The Sound of Barra, Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 005 (ROAME No. F01AA4

Tags: AGDS, Cores, Corpulent, Diver survey, GB000423, Grabs, Local, Marine, Nature Conservation, R3301, Research, Satellite imagery, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Broadscale mapping of sublittoral habitats in the Sound of Barra: north east of Barra

This map covers the area in the south of The Sound of Barra, at the northeastern corner of Barra (from Traigh Mhor to near Loch Obe). The Sound of Barra has been selected as a possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) on the basis of the nationally important colony of common seals, Phoca vitulina, and also for the wide variety of habitats associated with shallow ‘sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time’. A number of the sandbank habitats are of considerable conservation value, most notably the extensive beds of the eelgrass Zostera marina and tide-swept maerl beds composed of the coralline red alga Phymatolithon calcareum. A comprehensive biotope mapping survey of the sublittoral habitats within the Sound was undertaken in August 2001, by a collaborative research group from the University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh University and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This information supplemented the existing knowledge on the distribution of marine communities within the Sound of Barra pSAC and all this information was synthesised into a series of biotope classification maps.

Additional information source:

Bates, C. R., Moore, C. G., Malthus, T., Harries, D. B., Austin, W., Mair, J. M. and Karpouzli, E. (2004). Broad scale mapping of sublittoral habitats in The Sound of Barra, Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 005 (ROAME No. F01AA4

Tags: AGDS, Cores, Corpulent, Diver survey, GB000360, Grabs, Local, Marine, Nature Conservation, R3301, Research, Satellite imagery, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Broadscale mapping of sublittoral habitats in the Sound of Barra: south east of South Uist

This map covers the area in the north of The Sound of Barra, at the south-eastern end of South Uist. The Sound of Barrahas been selected as a possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) on the basis of the nationally important colony of common seals, Phoca vitulina, and also for the wide variety of habitats associated with shallow ‘sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time’. A number of the sandbank habitats are of considerable conservation value, most notably the extensive beds of the eelgrass Zostera marina and tide-swept maerl beds composed of the coralline red alga Phymatolithon calcareum. A comprehensive biotope mapping survey of the sublittoral habitats within the Sound was undertaken in August 2001, by a collaborative research group from the University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh University and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This information supplemented the existing knowledge on the distribution of marine communities within the Sound of Barra pSAC and all this information was synthesised into a series of biotope classification maps.

Additional information source:

Bates, C. R., Moore, C. G., Malthus, T., Harries, D. B., Austin, W., Mair, J. M. and Karpouzli, E. (2004). Broad scale mapping of sublittoral habitats in The Sound of Barra, Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 005 (ROAME No. F01AA4

Tags: AGDS, Cores, Corpulent, Diver survey, GB000359, Grabs, Local, Marine, Nature Conservation, R3301, Research, Satellite imagery, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Broad scale survey and mapping of seabed and shore habitats and biota, Papa Stour Shetland.

A survey of habitats and biota within the Papa Stour cSAC

Additional information source:

ENTEC (1997). Broad scale survey and mapping of seabed and shore habitats and biota, Papa Stour Shetland.

Tags: AGDS, Corpulent, Diver survey, Drop camera, GB000273, Lifeforms, Marine, R2424, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Show on webGIS, Translated to EUNIS
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
North Rona Annex I habitat map

The aim of the survey was to map the seabed environment around North Rona. The survey will form the baseline for future management of the area to determine the scope and nature of any “appropriate assessment”. The survey area encompasses the seabed all around North Rona.

In order to record and characterise the habitats around North Rona, Seastar Survey Ltd. undertook an acoustic and a ground-truthing survey (video/still photography survey) in 2009. The aim of the acoustic element of the survey was to identify different backscatter returns and describe as well as delineate the extent of the various seabed habitat types occurring around North Rona.  

A digital sidescan sonar mosaic, in conjunction with single beam echo sounder derived bathymetry, provided the initial broadview to map the substrata present throughout the survey area as well as allowing the identification of any features of interest.  

The aim of the ground-truthing element of the survey was to provide a description of the richness and diversity of the habitats on both rocky reef and the softer sediments. The biotope distribution and species composition was developed through interpretation of drop-down video footage and digital still photography, taken after evaluation of the sidescan mosaic.  

The results of all elements of the survey were used to create a Geographical Information System (GIS) which enabled a high level of processing, interpretation and display of the sidescan sonar mosaic, bathymetry, substrata types, biotopes and the digital photography.

Tags: Corpulent, Drop camera, GB001133, Habitats Directive - Annex I, Marine, Nature Conservation, RM0793, ROV, Seabed Habitats and Geology, Side scan sonar, Single beam echo sounder
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
UK Biodiversity Indicator C9a, Animal genetic resources - effective population size of Native Breeds at Risk

This spreadsheet is the underlying data for the biodiversity indicator C9a, Animal genetic resources – effective population size of Native Breeds at Risk.

Genetic diversity is an important component of biodiversity.  The UK genetic diversity indicator focuses on the diversity of Native Breeds at Risk of a number of farm animal species (cattle, sheep, goats, horses and pigs).  Genetic diversity in livestock breeds is important for a number of reasons.  Aside from their cultural importance, local adaptation and links to breed specific products, native or rare livestock breeds provide a resource from which to develop new breeds. 

UK farm animal genetic resource is a key asset in economic, environmental, social and cultural terms.  Native breeds of farm animals are often associated with traditional land management required to conserve important habitats.  The indicator is also relevant to the commitments on conservation of native breeds in the UK National Action Plan on Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR).

The indicator shows the change in the average effective population sizes (Ne) for breeds of goats, pigs, horses, sheep and cattle classified by the UK Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee as Native Breeds at Risk (NBAR).  The UK Farm Animal Genetic Resource (FAnGR) Committee  breed inventory was first published in 2013 with information for pigs, goats and horses, and was expanded in 2014 to include sheep and cattle; though it should be noted that there are currently no data for a number of breeds.  In the 2014 inventory, all five native breeds of goats, all 11 native breeds of pigs, 15 of 20 native horse breeds, 46 of 59 native sheep breeds, and 29 of 38 native cattle breeds were classified as NBAR (for definitions of native breeds, and native breeds at risk, see Appendix 1 of the  UK Country Report on Farm Animal Genetic Resources 2012).  Of the native breeds classified as at risk, data for 12 native cattle breeds at risk, 24 sheep, two horses and one goat were not available in 2014, or for earlier years, and therefore effective population size could not be calculated for these breeds.

Effective population size is a calculation which takes account of the total number of animals in a population and the relative number of sires and dams (male and female parents).  A low effective population size signifies a greater likelihood of in-breeding and risk of loss of genetic diversity.  A larger effective population size implies a lower risk of inbreeding and higher genetic diversity. 

This is one of a suite of 24 UK biodiversity indicators published by JNCC on behalf of Defra; the latest publication date was 19 January 2016 - for indicator C9a the latest data are for 2014.  The supporting technical document details the methodology used to create the indicator.

Tags: Animal genetic resources, Biodiversity , Evidence, Terrestrial, UK Biodiversity, cattle, goats, horses, indicator, native breeds, pigs, population size, sheep
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
UK Biodiversity Indicator C5, Birds of the wider countryside and at sea

This spreadsheet is the underlying data for the biodiversity indicator C5, Birds of the wider countryside and at sea.

Bird populations have long been considered to provide a good indication of the broad state of wildlife.  Birds occupy a wide range of habitats and there are considerable long-term data on changes in bird populations, which help in the interpretation of shorter-term fluctuations in numbers.  As they are a well-studied taxonomic group, drivers of change for birds are better understood than for other species groups, which allows for better interpretation of any observed changes.  Birds also have huge cultural importance and are highly valued as a part of the UK’s natural environment by the general public.

The indicator shows changes in the breeding population sizes of common native birds of farmland and woodland and of freshwater and marine habitats in the UK.

The indices show the year-to-year fluctuation in populations, reflecting the observed changes in the survey results, and smoothed trends, which are used with their confidence intervals to formally assess the statistical significance of change over time.  Smoothed trends reduce short-term peaks and troughs resulting from, for example, year-to-year weather and sampling variations.

This is one of a suite of 24 UK biodiversity indicators published by JNCC on behalf of Defra; the latest publication date was 19 January 2016 - for indicator C5 the latest data are for 2014.  The supporting technical document details the methodology used to create the indicator.

Tags: Biodiversity , Birds, Evidence, Marine, Seabirds, Terrestrial, UK Biodiversity, farmland birds, indicator, waterbirds, wetland birds, woodland birds
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Third UK Habitats Directive report (2013) - Supplementary distrbution map data

This dataset contains additional distribution map data for various species of Cetacea and Seals included as part of the 3rd UK Habitats Directive Report submitted to the European Commission in 2013. 
Every six years, all EU Member States are required (under Article 17 of the Directive) to report on the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive. 
Further details are provided in the lineage section.

Tags: Article 17, European Reporting, Freshwater, Habitats Directive, Marine, Species, Terrestrial
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
UK Biodiversity Indicator C4a, Status of UK priority species - relative abundance

This spreadsheet is the underlying data for the biodiversity indicator C4a, Status of UK priority species - relative abundance.

Priorities for species and habitat conservation are set at a country level through country biodiversity or environment strategies.  Each country has an identified list of priority species, which are of high conservation concern due, for example, to restricted range or population declines.

The indicator shows relative population changes of priority species in the UK for which population abundance data are available.  Priority species are defined as those on one or more of the biodiversity lists of each UK country (Natural Environmental and Rural Communities Act 2006 - Section 41 (England) and Section 42 (Wales), Northern Ireland Priority Species List, Scottish Biodiversity List).  The combined list contains 2,890 species in total.

Of these 2,890 species, the 213 for which robust quantitative time series of relative species abundance are available are included in the indicator.  These 213 species include birds (101), butterflies (21), mammals (12) and moths (79).  This selection is taxonomically limited at present; it includes no vascular or non-vascular plants, fungi, amphibians, reptiles, or fish.  The only invertebrates included are butterflies and moths. 

This is one of a suite of 24 UK biodiversity indicators published by JNCC on behalf of Defra; the latest publication date was 19 January 2016 - for indicator C4a the latest data are for 2012.  The supporting technical document details the methodology used to create the indicator.

Tags: Biodiversity , Evidence, Terrestrial, UK Biodiversity, indicator, priority species
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Standardised list of human activities in the marine environment

This table is a list of human activities associated with the marine environment and their descriptions. This list was created after a review of previous attempts to link human activities to marine pressures so that a standardised UK pressure-activities matrix  could be constructed in which pressure-activities links are identified.  This is an agreed list and definitions of human activities in the marine environment.  Coastal and marine ecosystems have historically been subjected to a number of human-induced pressures associated with a variety of marine activities and developments. The mechanisms through which specific human activities impact the marine environment, however, are still poorly understood.

Additional information source: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7136

Tags: Aquaculture, Coastal defence & land claim protection, Coastal development, Conservation & environmental protection, Cultural and heritage sites (Wrecks), Dredge and spoil disposal, Extraction of genetic resources, Extraction – Navigational dredging (capital & main, Extraction – Sand and gravel (aggregates), Extraction – Water (abstraction), Fishing, Gas storage operations (carbon capture & natural g, Harvesting, Human Activities, Industrial and agricultural liquid discharges, Marina, Marine, Marine Research, Military activities, Municipal waste, NA, Port, Power station incl. nuclear, Quarrying (mining), Recreational activities, Renewables - Tidal, Renewables - Wave, Renewables - Wind, Sewerage disposal, Shipping – General (at sea), Shipping – Port operations, Submarine cable and pipeline operations, UK marine human activities, Waste gas emissions
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Standardised list of pressures in the marine environment

This table is a list of pressures associated with the marine environment and their descriptions. This table was produced from a review of previous attempts to link human activities to marine pressures in order to move towards development of a standardised UK pressure-activities matrix in which pressure-activities links are identified.  Coastal and marine ecosystems have historically been subjected to a number of human-induced pressures associated with a variety of marine activities and developments. The mechanisms through which specific human activities impact the marine environment, however, are still poorly understood. 

In order to describe links between activities and pressures, it is first necessary to define lists of these two components, in order that relationships can be considered in relation to these standard definitions.

Additional information source: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7136

Tags: Coastal defence & land claim protection, Coastal development, Conservation & environmental protection, Cultural and heritage sites (Wrecks), Extraction of genetic resources, Extraction – Navigational dredging (capital & main, Extraction – Sand and gravel (aggregates), Extraction – Water (abstraction), Gas storage operations (carbon capture & natural g, Human Activities, Industrial and agricultural liquid discharges, Marine, Marine Research, Military activities, Municipal waste, Power station incl. nuclear, Recreational activities, Renewables - Tidal, Renewables - Wave, Renewables - Wind, Sewerage disposal, Shipping – General (at sea), Shipping – Port operations, Submarine cable and pipeline operations, Waste gas emissions
Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee