Holderness Coast Habitat Mapping - Habitat Survey

Abstract This is a spatial dataset that predicts the distribution of broad-scale marine habitats (EUNIS Level 3 classification) within across the Holderness coast nearshore region, produced through the interpretation of geophysical datasets combined with existing benthic sample data. Why is it important that NE publishes this data? The Holderness coast is a unique and diverse marine ecosystem, but it is sensitive to increasing infrastructure and development applications in the region. This broad-scale habitat map is an important addition to Natural England's evidence base and will help to guide our advice on marine and coastal development in the area. advice. It also likely to be a useful resource for developers during the planning process, particularly to guide where further survey efforts should be targeted, and may too be of interest to any other stakeholders working along the Holderness coast. Extent Yorkshire Coast: The nearshore area between Spurn Point and the area South of Flamborough Head, encompassing Smithic Sands and Holderness Inshore Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), and parts of Flamborough and Filey Coast Special Protection Area (SPA), Flamborough Head Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Humber Estuary SAC, SPA and SSSI Lineage A number of data layers from different sources were geo-processed to produce this map layer. The two main data layers used were: (a) Bathymetry mosaic. These data were acquired by the UK Hydrographic Office, on behalf of the UK Civil Hydrography Programme and the Marine Conservation Zones (DEFRA). The British Geological Society (BGS) processed the raw data to form single surface bathymetry mosaics, and it was these mosaic layers that were shared to Natural England via Open Government License, and subsequently passed on to our contractors, Envision. (b) Backscatter layers. These data were collected and processed for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) under the Civil Hydrography Programme. These layers were download directly from the BGS GeoIndex viewer, by our contractors Envision, under Open Government License. Our contractors, Envision, combined both datasets (a) and (b) to create a geophysical dataset for the Project Area, from which parameters such as rugosity and variability were derived, as these are good indicators of heterogenic habitats. Envision then integrated these physical derivatives, with existing benthic sample data (c, d, e), to infer the distribution of habitats across the Project Area. The benthic sample data was sourced from the following national datasets, all available under Open Government License / without limitations of use: (c) Cefas OneBenthic (including data from the Regional Seabed Monitoring Plan) (d) EMODnet Seabed Habitats - collated habitat point data (2019) (d) BGS GeoIndex Sample Data - shallow geology and geophysics data collected as either part of regional or local mapping work, or provided to BGS by third parties. (e) Cefas OneBenthic (including data from the Regional Seabed Monitoring Plan) Quality Assurance of the final map product was carried out by Envision and internally at Natural England. Full metadata can be viewed on [environment.data.gov.uk]