WWT 'Wetlands for Water Quality' potential, GB

This dataset maps where potential 'wetlands for water quality' could be placed in the landscape to help improve water quality across Great Britain. The analysis focused on locations where there is both the need and the potential for wetlands targeted at improving water quality, for example, via constructed treatment wetlands (CTWs) or more natural, free-flowing wetlands (such as swales and integrated constructed wetlands). The maps identify areas where wetland solutions could be implemented using natural flow paths and wetland-compatible (impermeable) soil-types. Locations both within and outside of the mapped areas may be suitable for more engineered CTWs targeted at specific pollution sources. This potential was mapped within 'demand' catchments (found within [this dataset]) which should be viewed alongside this layer. These 'demand' catchments helped to refine the map to areas where wetlands could provide the greatest benefits. The absence of potential in a catchment does not, therefore, imply that there are no suitable areas for wetlands in these areas, or that there are no issues with water quality where wetlands could provide solutions. This wetland potential map is not prescriptive at the site level and does not replace the need for detailed site selection processes, feasibility studies, and regulatory processes. The intention is to illustrate the overall potential and to direct users’ thoughts in a strategic way, rather than precisely telling them where to put wetlands, or specifying where action should or will necessarily take place. WWT are calling for the creation of 100,000 hectares of new and restored wetlands in the UK by 2050. This map is a part of [WWT’s Roadmap to 100,000 hectares project], which aims to assess both the spatial and economic potential for large-scale wetland restoration targeted at tackling some of the key issues faced by UK society. The work has a particular focus on four themes where wetlands can provide solutions, namely (1) wetlands for carbon storage (specifically saltmarsh for blue carbon), (2) wetlands for urban wellbeing, (3) wetlands for flood resilience, and (4) wetlands for water quality. Wetland potential for [water quality], [carbon storage], [flood resilience] and [urban wellbeing] has been mapped. Full methodology can be found [here]. Attributes: ──────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Heading │Description ──────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── wb_id_1 │ID number of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) waterbody catchment in which the wetland potential parcel is located ──────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── wb_name_1 │Name of the WFD waterbody catchment in which the wetland potential parcel is located ──────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── country_1 │UK country in which the wetland potential parcel is located ──────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── wt_area_ha│Area of the wetland potential parcel, in hectares ──────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── total │Number of zones within/around six potential pollution sources, in which the mapped wetland parcel fell (see methods). ──────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Data sources for attributes: WFD river waterbody catchments: [England], [Wales], [Scotland] WFD coastal catchments: [England], [W][ales], [Scotland]