Habitat Project
Home : Biodiversity Information : Habitat Project
Regional Habitat Data Project
The Regional Habitat Data Project is a project managed by the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership (WMBP) which aims to create a reliable spatial representation of all known priority BAP habitat across the West Midlands region. The project was brought about by the increasing need of habitat data to comply with requirements stated in regional and local polices, in order to protect biodiversity. These requirements include monitoring the condition and change in extent of protected areas designated by their environmental value.
The Biodiversity Action Planning (BAP) process was the Government response to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, in which we committed to the protection of biological resources. As part of this process a series of habitats have been listed as priority habitats (BAP Priority Habitats), and monitoring targets are set against these habitats.
Targets at regional level are difficult to establish due to the variable extent in knowledge of where these habitats occur. Existing surveys vary considerably in purpose, dates and coverage across the region and this makes their usefulness as a regional resource unreliable.
Natural England produced a series of GIS datasets (national habitat inventory) of some of the priority habitats but these datasets fail to differentiate adequately between each habitat type. Therefore, these datasets are in need of validation.
Stage 1 – Initial audit of all existing BAP habitat data sets within the region.
Stage 2 – Production of an initial GIS layer of BAP habitat
Stage 3 – Development of the initial GIS layer into a fully comprehensive data base and establishment of management arrangements for future management.
The need to establish better baseline data for habitats has been accepted by the Regional Assembly (Environmental Monitoring Group) based on advice from the Statutory Agencies. The lack of standardised data across the region was also identified as a major issue within the Landscapes for Living project and remains a problem for the current project to review the RSS habitat targets and for providing regional advice in connection with adaptation for climate change. The timing of the RSS Review is crucial and it is important that this uses the ‘best available data’.
Stage 1
This was completed by the Local Record Centres in March 2008.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded by clicking on picture above.
The present project was delivered by Shropshire County Council on behalf of West Midlands Local Records Centres, funded by Natural England. The project was conducted under the auspices of the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership Data & Monitoring Group.
The report summarises the results of an investigation on the existing sources of habitat data in the West Midlands region and provides some recommendations on the process to follow in the next stages.
The study found out that 58% of the datasets identified are reliable (in terms of date and type of survey methodology used) and that over half of those datasets could be used to create a first GIS layer.
Stage 2
This has just been completed and has created an initial GIS layer of existing habitat data sets that were relatively easily convertible from existing survey information into priority BAP habitat. A sample map from this stage of the project is provided below. Some statistics from this stage of the project illustrate the scale of work involved. Over half a million polygons of habitat data have been reviewed for inclusion, drawn from over 50 datasets. The habitat data was held in 7 habitat classifications, including Phase 1, NVC and IHS, and required translation to IHS/BAP habitat. The final datasets are presented in two layers. The Final BAP Layer comprises over 37,000 polygons, with data all in one habitat classification (IHS) and a single data format. 25 BAP habitat types are represented. The layer has a comprehensive attribute set. Additionally a Working Data Layer contains more data that includes less certain data and parcels that are assessed as being “Close to” the habitat definition. Although this initial layer requires further work it represents a massive step forward to the ultimate goal of this project. Information from this work is available from the Local Record Centres.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded by clicking on picture above.
Click here to learn more about how this data has been used in the RSS Targets Review Project
Stage 3
Work now needs to commence on developing this project to ensure that the initial GIS layer from Stage 2 is completed with all existing data sets translated and gaps in data identified. It is only after this work has been completed that the region can consider that it has a sound evidence base for future strategic planning.