AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Great Crested Newts eDNA Pond Surveys for District Level Licensing (England)

Great Crested Newt eDNA and Habitat Suitability Index Survey results for Ponds surveyed for District Level Licensing. Also included for some ponds is information on water pH and temperature as well as observations of other great crested newt life stages. The eDNA surveys for great crested newts were undertaken following the methodology contained in the Technical Advice Note WC1067 (2014). Habitat suitability surveys were conducted following the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the United Kingdom Advice Note 5 (2010). Ponds to be surveyed were identified using OS MasterMap® Topography Layer. This data is used to help build great crested species distribution models for District Level Licensing and will be updated annually with survey data generated through the monitoring of District Level Licensing compensation habitat. Additional information on the dataset and attribution can be downloaded from [GCN+eDNA+Pond+Survey+DLL+2017-2019+Docs.zip] Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk]
Great Crested Newt Evidence Enhancement Project 2013

Location of ponds surveyed as part of Phase 1 of the Natural England 2013 Greated Crested Newt Evidence Enhancement Project (NE GCN EEP Surveyed GIS).Great crested newts (GCN), alongside other species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive, are afforded particular protection because of their conservation status at a European scale. This species is widespread in Europe, but has declined since the 1940s. In the UK, GCN are widespread and locally common, with a patchy distribution, especially in South West England, parts of Wales, and in Scotland. A requirement of the Habitats Directive of each EU member state is to ensure that European Protected Species are maintained at or restored to ‘favourable conservation status’ across their natural range. In order to better understand the conservation status of the species in England, a much better understanding is needed of the distribution and extent of the population of the species in its natural range, and the habitat available to it. This project forms part of a series of projects to produce an enhanced evidence base which can be used to inform decisions about land-use planning and determining conservation status. It is the first of a two-stage exercise to collect data to develop a model for predicting the presence of GCN. Potential applications of a predictive model could include earlier identification of areas where GCN can be ruled in or out as a concern in land-use planning decisions. Data is a sample of ponds identified in pilot survey locations. Data should subsequently not be used as a definitive indicator of total pond coverage. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
GCN Risk Zones (Lancashire)

This dataset identifies areas where the distribution of great crested newts (GCN) has been categorised into zones relating to GCN occurrence and the level of impact development is likely to have on this species. Red zones contain key populations of GCN, which are important on a regional, national or international scale and include designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest for GCN. Amber zones contain main population centres for GCN and comprise important connecting habitat that aids natural dispersal. Green zones contain sparsely distributed GCN and are less likely to contain important pathways of connecting habitat for this species. White zones contain no GCN. However, as most of England forms the natural range of GCN, white zones are rare and will only be used when it is certain that there are no GCN. Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.
GCN Risk Zones (Greater Manchester)

This dataset identifies areas where the distribution of Great Crested Newts (GCN) has been categorised into district zones relating to GCN occurrence and the level of impact development is likely to have on this species. * Red zones contain key populations of GCN, which are important on a regional, national or international scale and include designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest for GCN. * Amber zones contain main population centres for GCN and comprise important connecting habitat that aids natural dispersal. * Green zones contain sparsely distributed GCN and are less likely to contain important pathways of connecting habitat for this species. * White zones contain no GCN. However, as most of England forms the natural range of GCN, white zones are rare and will only be used when it is certain that there are no GCN. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
GCN Risk Zones (Cumbria)

This dataset identifies areas where the distribution of great crested newts (GCN) has been categorised into zones relating to GCN occurrence and the level of impact development is likely to have on this species. Red zones contain key populations of GCN, which are important on a regional, national or international scale and include designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest for GCN (including all units of Duddon Estuary SSSI and unit 018 of South Walney and Piel Channel Flats SSSI, plus the 500m buffer).. Amber zones contain main population centres for GCN and comprise important connecting habitat that aids natural dispersal. Green zones contain sparsely distributed GCN and are less likely to contain important pathways of connecting habitat for this species. White zones contain no GCN. However, as most of England forms the natural range of GCN, white zones are rare and will only be used when it is certain that there are no GCN. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
GCN Risk Zones (Leicestershire, Rutland, Rushcliffe and South Kesteven)

This dataset identifies areas where the distribution of Great Crested Newts (GCN) has been categorised into district zones relating to GCN occurrence and the level of impact development is likely to have on this species. * Red zones contain key populations of GCN, which are important on a regional, national or international scale and include designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest for GCN. * Amber zones contain main population centres for GCN and comprise important connecting habitat that aids natural dispersal. * Green zones contain sparsely distributed GCN and are less likely to contain important pathways of connecting habitat for this species. * White zones contain no GCN. However, as most of England forms the natural range of GCN, white zones are rare and will only be used when it is certain that there are no GCN. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk]
GCN Risk Zones (Swindon and Wiltshire)

This dataset identifies areas where the distribution of Great Crested Newts (GCN) has been categorised into district zones relating to GCN occurrence and the level of impact development is likely to have on this species. * Red zones contain key populations of GCN, which are important on a regional, national or international scale and include designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest for GCN. * Amber zones contain main population centres for GCN and comprise important connecting habitat that aids natural dispersal. * Green zones contain sparsely distributed GCN and are less likely to contain important pathways of connecting habitat for this species. * White zones contain no GCN. However, as most of England forms the natural range of GCN, white zones are rare and will only be used when it is certain that there are no GCN. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Inventories for the Alkaline Fen and Transition Mire and Quaking Bog Annex 1 habitats in England

This is a new stand-alone inventory that incorporates all vegetation types that fit within the EC Habitats Directive Annex 1 habitats ‘Alkaline Fens' (AF) and 'Transition Mires and Quaking Bogs' (TMQB). Alongside this GIS inventory of Annex 1 habitats, the project produced a list of source documents and datasets, a description of the meta-data, an overview of wetland sites that were considered (in the first phase of the project), and a summary report. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk]
Integrated Site Assessment Species records polygons (England)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a large dataset. The dataset is only currently downloadable from our [Open Data Geoportal] in Spreadsheet, Shapefile and File Geodatabase formats. Integrated Site Assessments are carried out by Natural England staff to assess the condition of notified features on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Indicators of Success on Higher Level Stewardship agri-environment schemes. The ISA process integrates surveys for both purposes, so where they co-occur they are usually recorded together. Individual surveys include the recording of a variety of species within SSSI Units and/or Rural Land Register Parcels, as well as other non-biotic measurements such as vegetation structure, which together are used in the assessment of SSSI feature condition, Indicators of Success, or both. Species records are associated with the SSSI units and/or RLR Parcels containing the list of features which are the subject of each part of the ISA survey, so survey 'feature lists' are used to define discrete geographic areas within which the species were recorded. Precise BNG grid references, or eastings and northings, are not recorded for individual species, and the precise extent of the features (usually semi-natual habitats) within the SSSI units and/or RLR parcels is unknown. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Midlands Heartlands Heathland - Suitability Areas

This dataset shows areas within the Midlands Heartland Heathland corridor, which, according to their soils and historic habitats, may be suitable for heathland creation. The data provides evidence to aid the targeting of heathland restoration and creation in a crucial landscape corridor. Heathland Suitability Areas were defined with reference to Cranfield University Soils Data, which informed the identification of broad areas where the soil category types would typically support heathland, as well as the Historic Heathland Extent layer. For a full description of the methodology see the following report: Midlands Heathland Heartland Lowland: Heathland Nature Recovery Opportunity Mapping. Datasets Used: * Soils data - Cranfield University [NSRI] * OS MasterMap – OS 1:50000 scale colour raster (OS) * HLC data - Wolverhampton CC * HLC data - Birmingham CC * 1775 Map of the County of Stafford - W. Yates Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Limestone Pavement Orders (England)

This is a spatial dataset that describes the geographic extent and location of areas that are listed under Limestone Pavement Orders. Limestone pavements are outcrops of limestone where the surface has been worn away by natural means over millennia. These rocks have the appearance of paving blocks, hence their name. Not only do they have geological interest, they also provide valuable habitats for wildlife. These habitats are threatened due to their removal for use in gardens and water features. Many limestone pavements have been designated as SSSIs which affords them some protection. In addition, Section 34 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 gave them additional protection via the creation of Limestone Pavement Orders, which made it a criminal offence to remove any part of the outcrop. The associated Limestone Pavement Priority Habitat is part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat in England. This is published separately. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Midlands Heartlands Heathland - Historic Heathland

This dataset shows areas within the Midlands Heartland Heathland corridor, which are known to have historically been heathland or unenclosed commons. The data provides evidence to aid the targeting of heathland restoration and creation in a crucial landscape corridor. A number of information sources and data layers were used to produce this layer. Two historic information references were used as follows: Yates' 1775 Map of the County of Stafford and Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) Data [Wolverhampton City Council (2010) Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] [https://doi.org/10.5284/1000030] and Adrian Axinte (2017) Birmingham Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] [https://doi.org/10.5284/1043264])]. An indication as to areas which might be suitable for heathland creation can be provided by looking at the known former extent of the habitat in the corridor. Prior to the enclosure of the commons there was thought to be a series of heaths and commons linking Cannock Chase to Sutton Park. Areas of historic heathland were primarily mapped using OS Mastermap and OS 1:50,000 maps with reference to Yates’ (1775) map of the County of Stafford (Yates 1775 Map of the County of Stafford) as a source, which depicts the unenclosed commons stretching all the way from Cannock Chase through to Sutton Park. Interpretation was necessary to map these onto current Ordnance Survey data. To complement this, within Birmingham and the Black Country, Historic Landscape Characterisation data sources were used to help provide information on additional historic heathland areas. For a full description of the methodology see the following report: Midlands Heathland Heartland Lowland: Heathland Nature Recovery Opportunity Mapping. Datasets Used: * OS MasterMap * HLC data - Wolverhampton CC * HLC data - Birmingham CC * 1775 Map of the County of Stafford - W. Yates * 1:50000 scale colour raster (OS) Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Midlands Heartlands Heathland - Nature Recovery Opportunities Map

Nature Recovery Network map of the Midlands Heartland Heathland area including Core Habitats (Primary and Associated Habitats), Heathland Creation Opportunity areas and Secondary Enhancement Areas. The data provides evidence to aid the targeting of heathland restoration and creation in a crucial landscape corridor. A number of information sources and data layers were used to produce this layer. The Primary, Associated and Restorable habitat polygons were produced based on habitat and species data held by EcoRecord and SER to complement NE priority habitat inventory data. Heathland Creation Opportunity areas were identified based on a number of environmental criteria including historic landuse, habitats, and soils. For a full description of the methodology see the following report: Midlands Heathland Heartland Lowland: Heathland Nature Recovery Opportunity Mapping. Datasets Used: * Habitat data - SER * Species data - SER * Local Sites data - SER * Habitat data - EcoRecord * Species data - EcoRecord * Local Sites data - EcoRecord * OS MasterMap – OS * 1:50000 scale colour raster (OS) * Soils data - Cranfield University [NSRI] * Black Country HLC data - Wolverhampton CC * Birmingham HLC data - Birmingham CC * 1775 Map of the County of Stafford - W. Yates Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Local Nature Partnerships (England)

Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) are a key Environment White Paper commitment. There are forty nine strategic partnerships consisting of a wide range of local organisations with members drawn from environmental, business, health, academic and land owning sectors providing almost total geographic coverage in England. Government was not prescriptive about LNP boundaries were defined. LNPs were encouraged to establish the most appropriate boundary for their area, whether ecological, administrative or a mixture of both. The majority of partnerships established themselves along administrative local authority boundaries with a number determined by a mix of of landscape level features and administrative boundaries and relatively few determined by ecological characteristics. LNPs work strategically to help their local area manage the natural environment. They aim to make sure that its value, and the value of the services it provides to the economy and the people who live there, is taken into account in local decisions, for example about planning and development. LNPs are also being encouraged to work at a large scale, which we call ‘landscape-scale’, and to identify Nature Improvement Areas using these criteria, found at this location ([https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criteria-to-apply-when-identifying-nature-improvement-areas]) Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Millennium Greens (England) Polygons

The Millennium Greens initiative set out to provide new areas of public open space close to people's homes that could be enjoyed permanently by the local community, in time to mark the start of the third millennium. They were to be breathing spaces - places for relaxation, play and enjoyment of nature and pleasant surroundings. They could be small or large, and in urban or rural locations. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Living England Segmentation (2019)

Please note: This is a large data product with 2.7 million polygon features (1.2GB file in ESRI File Geodatabase format). It is not possible to download in Shapefile format. Please access the data using the APIs or select another download format. This is the spatial framework around which the Living England Phase II habitat classification is based. The segmentation was created in the Trimble eCognition software using Sentinel-2 Analysis Ready Data (ARD) image mosaics for winter (February 2019) and summer (June 2019). Sentinel-2 Analysis Ready Data (ARD) produced by the Earth Observation Data Service (JNCC / DEFRA) were used as the input for the segmentation. The Sentinel-2 ARD is available under an Open Government License (OGL). It is not intended that the 2019 segmentation will be revised, however, as Living England progresses and up-to-date image mosaics are created new habitat segmentation datasets will be developed from the up-to-date imagery. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Millennium Greens (England) Points

The Millennium Greens initiative set out to provide new areas of public open space close to people's homes that could be enjoyed permanently by the local community, in time to mark the start of the third millennium. They were to be breathing spaces - places for relaxation, play and enjoyment of nature and pleasant surroundings. They could be small or large, and in urban or rural locations. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Doorstep Greens (England) Polygons

The Doorstep Greens initiative provides new or renovated areas of public open space close to people's homes that could be enjoyed permanently by the local community. The initiative is a joint Natural England and New Opportunities Fund project. The initiative is aimed at targeting communities who experience disadvantage and where regeneration of the local environment and outdoor recreation provision is sorely needed. They could be small or large, and in urban or rural locations. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Doorstep Greens (England) Points

The Doorstep Greens initiative provides new or renovated areas of public open space close to people's homes that could be enjoyed permanently by the local community. The initiative is a joint Natural England and New Opportunities Fund project. The initiative is aimed at targeting communities who experience disadvantage and where regeneration of the local environment and outdoor recreation provision is sorely needed. They could be small or large, and in urban or rural locations. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
Legacy Countryside Stewardship Scheme Options (England) - closed scheme

Former Countryside Stewardship Scheme live agreements options points as at scheme closure in 2014. This Natural England dataset is static and does not include up to date information relating to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This scheme is now closed to new applicants. The Countryside Stewardship Scheme was originally an agri-environment scheme run by the United Kingdom Government set up in 1991. In its original form it expired in 2014 and has now fully expired. It was relaunched for the Rural Development Programme England (RDPE) 2014-2020 with £3.1bn of government subsidy for agriculture and forestry, as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme 2016. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
CRoW Act 2000 - Section 16 Dedicated Land

Shows land mapped as dedicated access land under the [Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act)]. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) gives the public right of access to land mapped as 'open country' (mountain, moor, heath and down) or registered common land. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].
England Peat Map Peaty Soil Extent

The England Peat Map is a map of England's peaty soils. It models the extent, depth, and condition of our peat including vegetation and upland peat erosion & drainage features (grips, gullies, bare peat and peat hagging). The map and, where possible, the associated data, are available openly and free to use for any purpose. This map is funded by the Nature for Climate Fund and the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme, both part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The map layers were created using machine learning and deep learning modelling techniques, trained with pre-existing survey data collated from Defra organisations and other stakeholders, as well as new survey data collected by contractors and quality-assured by an in-house team. Predictor data used in the modelling process included national-scale satellite imagery, topographic LiDAR, geological and historic land-use data. Data collated from multiple sources and collated by the England Peat Map project. See [NERR149 England Peat Map Final Report Annex 5] for more information. Peaty soil is defined as soil with an organic content of 20% or more. This layer maps the extent of this, as modelled by the England Peat Map project, where the probability of occurrence is above 50%. See [NERR149 England Peat Map Final Report, Natural England, 2025]. Full metadata can be viewed on [environment.data.gov.uk].
England Peat Map Peaty Soil Depth Confidence

The England Peat Map is a map of England's peaty soils. It models the extent, depth, and condition of our peat including vegetation and upland peat erosion & drainage features (grips, gullies, bare peat and peat hagging). The map and, where possible, the associated data, are available openly and free to use for any purpose. This map is funded by the Nature for Climate Fund and the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme, both part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The map layers were created using machine learning and deep learning modelling techniques, trained with pre-existing survey data collated from Defra organisations and other stakeholders, as well as new survey data collected by contractors and quality-assured by an in-house team. Predictor data used in the modelling process included national-scale satellite imagery, topographic LiDAR, geological and historic land-use data. Data collated from multiple sources and collated by the England Peat Map project. See [NERR149 England Peat Map Final Report Annex 5] for more information. Confidence in the England Peat Map depth prediction on a 10m by 10m square basis. Confidence is measured by root mean square deviation. See [NERR149 England Peat Map Final Report, Natural England, 2025]. Full metadata can be viewed on [environment.data.gov.uk].
Surveyed priority ponds (England)

The data shows surveyed location and recorded characteristics of priority habitat ponds. The location and attributes of these priority habitat ponds does not currently exists for end users, ecologists, community groups and other stakeholders. The layer will be used to identify, conserve and enhance these features. Survey data provided by Freshwater Habitats Trust, duplicate and low GR data removed. Nearest town/village added using OS OpenPlaces. County added using NUTS2. Proximity and unique ref for OS pond calculated from OS MasterMap Topographic features, hydrology, static water. Full metadata can be viewed on [data.gov.uk].