D0157/004/01 - Phase 1 Habitat Survey of Wales 1979-1997 (Phase One Habitat Survey Target Notes (Meirionnydd only) stored in Recorder)
| Subject |
Phase One Habitat Survey |
| Abstract |
This dataset holds comprehensive habitat cover data for the whole of Wales derived from a programme of field recording that was begun by the Wales Field Unit (WFU) of the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) in 1979 and continued by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) after restructuring in 1991. |
| Species Groups |
Amphibian [1], Bird [7], Clubmoss [1], Conifer [2], Fern [49], Flowering Plant [2333], Insect - Butterfly [2], Insect - Dragonfly (Odonata) [3], Lichen [3], Moss [208], Reptile [1], Terrestrial Mammal [2] |
| Geographic Coverage/Site Name |
General: Wales |
| Geographic Coverage Notes |
All Wales coverage. For reporting purposes during the Phase 1 Survey Wales was divided up into 15 different areas based on the Nature Conservancy Council's Areas of Search. |
| Dataset Owner |
Natural Resources Wales |
| Dataset Contact |
Bruce Jackson |
| Date Range |
1991 - 1993 |
| Total Records |
2612 |
| Restriction Details |
Standard Restrictions Only
|
| Acknowledgements |
Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru/Natural Resources Wales |
Further Details
| Original Title |
Phase 1 Habitat Survey of Wales 1979-1997 |
| Temporal Coverage Notes |
The Upland Vegetation Survey was carried out between 1979-1989. The Phase 1 Survey began in 1987 (NCC), was continued by CCW after 1991 and was completed in 1997. Upland NVC surveys were carried out between1991-1999. Digitisation, carried out for CCW by Landmark (subcontracted to RMSI) between 2000-2001, during which time two existing, small digital datasets were incorporated (Berwyn, BKS Surveys Ltd in 2000, and the NVC data for Elenydd, CCW in 2000). |
| Data Storage Methods |
Misc |
| Module Description |
Phase One Habitat Survey Target Notes (Meirionnydd only) stored in Recorder |
| Purpose |
To inform site selection, casework and policy decisions. The lowland survey was particularly used to locate grassland sites suitable for more in-depth survey for notification purposes. Habitat extent data has been derived to inform the Local Biodiversity Action Plan process. The digitisation was carried out, in the first instance, for the drafting of maps for open country and registered common land as required by the CROW Act 2000. |
| Capture Methods |
Uplands are classified as open upland landscapes coming down as far as the upper limit of enclosure; lowlands and uplands are mutually exclusive. The fieldwork was conducted in two main stages. Most upland areas were surveyed during the first stage (the Upland Vegetation Survey) between 1979-1989 and areas assigned to habitat types using the Ratcliffe and Birks classification (A classification of upland vegetation types in Britain, D.A. Ratcliffe & H.J.B. Birks, unpublished NCC paper, 1980). Some upland regions were surveyed between 1991-1999 using the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) (British Plant Communities Volume 2, Mires and Heaths (1991) and Volume 3, Grasslands and Montane Communities (1992). Ed J.S.Rodwell, Cambridge University Press), and small patches were covered between 1982-1992 using the NCC scheme for SSSI recording (Unpublished NCC, 1982) or the NCC/RSNC classification (NCC/RSNC Habitat Classification and Description, 1984). Mapping was carried out on foot, using mostly 1:10,000 scale aerial photographs for locating habitat polygons. The rest of Wales including all the lowlands and some previously unsurveyed upland areas was covered during the second stage (the Phase 1 Survey) between 1987-1997 and habitats assigned to the Phase I classification (Handbook for Phase I habitat survey- a technique for environmental audit, NCC, 1990), with some minor modifications adopted for use in Wales (Supplementary Notes for Phase 1 survey in Wales, Howe E.A. & Blackstock T.H., 1991, CCW, Bangor). Habitats were recorded field-by-field by using public rights of way and obtaining access permission to look more closely at some fields. Habitats were mapped onto 1:10,000 scale 5 x 5 km master-maps. |
| Data Collected by |
Countryside Council for Wales, Wales Field Unit |
| Dataset Category |
Category 04: Dataset awaiting/undergoing assessment as part of the Data Verification Process |
| Dataset Status |
Not Known |
| Data Entry Project Completion Date |
N/A |
| Date Imported |
11/09/2013 |
|