Enviro + Geo Insight - GIS schema:  Environmental designations

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Sites_of_Special_Scientific_Interest_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) across England, Wales and Scotland providing statutory protection for the best examples of UK flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. Originally notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, SSSIs were re-notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (in England and Wales) and by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2010.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Conserved Wetland Sites (Ramsar sites)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Conserved_Wetland_Sites_RAMSAR_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Ramsar sites across England, Wales and Scotland. Ramsar sites are areas listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention) 1973. They cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities. These sites cover a broad definition of wetland; marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, and even some marine areas.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Special_Areas_of_Conservation_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) across England, Wales and Scotland. These are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II to Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Special Protection Areas (SPA)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Special_Protection_Areas_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Special Protection Areas (SPA) across England, Wales and Scotland. These are sites classified by the UK Government under the EC Birds Directive (Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild Birds). SPAs are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I to the Directive) and migratory birds within the European Union.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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National Nature Reserves (NNR)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-National_Nature_Reserves_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of National Nature Reserves across England, Wales and Scotland (excluding proposed sites) and are declared under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 or Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended. These are sites containing examples of some of the most important natural and semi-natural terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in Great Britain. They are managed to conserve their habitats, provide special opportunities for scientific study or to provide public recreation compatible with natural heritage interests.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Local Nature Reserves (LNR)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Local_Nature_Reserves_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) across England, Wales and Scotland. and are declared by local authorities under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 after consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation agency. These sites are managed for nature conservation of special interest to the local area, and to provide opportunities for research and education, or simply enjoying and having contact with nature. They range from windswept coastal headlands, ancient woodlands and flower-rich meadows to former inner city railways, long abandoned landfill sites and industrial areas now re-colonised by wildlife.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Designated Ancient Woodland

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Designated_Ancient_Woodland_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Ancient Woodland designated by Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot across England, Wales and Scotland. Ancient woodlands are classified as areas which have been wooded  continuously since at least 1600 AD. This includes semi-natural woodland and plantations on ancient woodland sites. 'Wooded continuously' does not mean there is or has previously been continuous tree cover across the whole site, and not all trees within the woodland have to be old. 

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Biosphere Reserves

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Biosphere_Reserves_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Biosphere Reserves across England, Wales and Scotland. Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognised by UNESCO as sites of excellence to balance conservation and socioeconomic development between nature and people. They are recognised under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme with the aim of promoting sustainable development founded on the work of the local community. 

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Forest Parks

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Forest_Parks_FC

This is a polygon based dataset of areas managed by the Forestry Commission across England, Wales and Scotland, and are designated on the basis of recreational, conservation or scenic interest.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Marine Conservation Zones

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Marine_Conservation_Zones_NE_NRW_NS

This is a polygon based dataset of Marine Conservation Zones around England, Wales and Scotland. These are a type of marine nature reserve in UK waters established under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009). They are designated with the aim to protect nationally important, rare or threatened habitats and species, geology and geomorphology.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales

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Green Belt

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Greenbelt_LA

This is a polygon based dataset of areas of Greenbelt land across England. These areas are designated to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England

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Proposed Ramsar Sites

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Proposed_Ramsar_Sites_NE

This is a polygon based dataset of Ramsar sites that have a "Proposed" status having been identified for potential adoption under the framework. Ramsar sites are areas listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention) 1973.

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Coverage: England

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Possible Special Areas of Conservation (pSAC)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Possible_Special_Areas_of_Conservation_NE_NRW

This is a polygon based dataset of Special Areas of Conservation sites with a status of 'Possible' having been identified for potential adoption under the framework. Special Areas of Conservation are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II to the Directive. SACs are designated under the EC Habitats Directive.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England and Wales

Schema: 

Potential Special Protection Areas (pSPA)

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Potential_Special_Protection_Areas_NE

This is a polygon based dataset of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) with a status of 'Potential' having been identified for potential adoption under the framework. These areas are designated (or ‘classified’) under the European Union Wild Birds Directive  (Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild Birds) for the protection of nationally and internationally important populations of wild birds.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England

Schema: 

Nitrate Sensitive Areas

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Nitrate_Sensitive_Areas_NE

This is a polygon based dataset of Nitrate Sensitive Areas (NSAs). These are areas where nitrate concentrations in drinking water sources exceeded or were at risk of exceeding the limit of 50 mg/l set by the 1980 EC Drinking Water Directive. Voluntary agricultural measures as a means of reducing the levels of nitrate were introduced by DEFRA as MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), with payments being made to farmers who complied. The scheme was started as a pilot in 1990 in ten areas, later implemented within 32 areas. The scheme was closed to further new entrants in 1998, although existing agreements continued for their full term. All Nitrate Sensitive Areas fell within the areas designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in 1996 under the EC Nitrate Directive (91/676/EEC).

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Coverage: England

Schema: 

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-Nitrate_Vulnerable_Zones_NE_NRW

This is a polygon based dataset of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). These are areas at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution designated under the EC Nitrate Directive (91/676/EEC). These are areas of land that drain into waters polluted by nitrates. Farmers operating within these areas have to follow mandatory rules to tackle nitrate loss from agriculture. Waters are defined within the Nitrates Directive as polluted if they contain or could contain, if preventative action is not taken, nitrate concentrations greater than 50mg/l.

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Coverage: England and Wales

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SSSI Impact Risk Zones

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-SSSI_Impact_Risk_Zones_NE

This is a polygon based dataset of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Impact Risk Zones across England. This was developed by Natural England to allow rapid initial assessment of the potential risks to SSSIs posed by development proposals. They define zones around each SSSI which reflect the particular sensitivities of the features for which it is notified and indicate the types of development proposal which could potentially have adverse impacts.

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Coverage: England

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SSSI Units

Layer name: Environmental_Designations-SSSI_Units_NE

This is a polygon based dataset of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) units across England. These are divisions of SSSIs used to record management and condition details. Units are the smallest areas for which Natural England gives a condition assessment, however, the size of units varies greatly depending on the types of management and the conservation interest.

Geometry: Polygon

Coverage: England

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