Phase Two Lowland Heathland Survey

Natural Resources Wales

Description

This dataset comprises of detailed data related to the Phase 2 plant community survey for Lowland Heath across Wales. The project covers dry and maritime heath covered by the heathland section of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) and wet heath covered by the section of the NVC. Two non-NVC communities the calcareous grass and heath, and shingle heath are also described. A total of 13 surveys were carried out: Anglesey (1994), West Gwynedd (1993), Gwynedd and Anglesey (1994), Pembrokeshire (1995, 1996, 1997), Rivers Ystwyth and Rheidiol, Ceredigion (1995), Gower Commons (1997), Gower, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Conwy (1998), Powys (1999), Brecknock and Carmarthenshire (2000), Ceredigion (2001) and Gower (2001). The total area of heath surveyed is approximately 4,714 ha which is 35% of the total area of lowland and coastal (maritime) heathland recorded in the Phase 1 Habitats Survey of Wales (1979 - 1997).

Geographic Description

All Wales.

Purpose

This project had three main purposes:

- To provide an overview of the Welsh lowland heathland resource allowing local conservation programs particularly local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP) partnerships, to assess and interpret their resource in a Welsh context.

- To identify heathland types that are under-represented in the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) series.

- To identified gaps in knowledge and highlight areas for further study.

Data quality

The dataset has been extensively validated and verified, however, problems were encountered when mapping in field, and there were occasional problems with identifying community type.

Methods

Vegetation mapping and community definition followed the National Vegetation Classification (NVC).

Citation

Natural Resources Wales. ([Insert year of download]) Phase Two Lowland Heathland Survey. Occurrence dataset accessed through the NBNAtlas

Rights

© CNC/NRW

Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.

Attribution statement: Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.

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