Interest features and linked critical load/level values for UK protected sites

This dataset contains the critical load and level values for designated habitats and species (where there is an appropriate match) at protected sites across the UK. The data is available for designated interest features for the following designations: (i) Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) (ii) Special Protection Areas (SPA) (iii) Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - England only. Critical loads and levels are set under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. For nutrient nitrogen critical loads are based on empirical evidence, mainly observations from experiments and targeted gradient studies. These empirical critical loads are assigned to habitat classes of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) to enable consistency of habitat terminology and understanding across Europe. In order the assign the relevant critical load to Annex I features, SSSI habitat features, or habitats of Annex II/SPA features, habitat correspondence tables are used to determine the relationship between the EUNIS classes for which nitrogen critical loads are set and the interest features. Critical loads of acidity are based on soil and habitat types. They are set for six Broad Habitats; acid grassland, calcareous grassland, dwarf shrub heath, bogs, montane, unmanaged coniferous and broadleaved woodland. Critical Levels for air pollutants are not habitat specific and have been set to cover broad vegetation types (e.g. forest arable, semi-natural), often with critical values set for sensitive lichens and bryophytes. They have been derived from experiments and observation that show varied effects on vegetation including visible injury symptoms of exposure and species composition changes in semi-natural vegetation. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/0c04050d-ed79-4864-a164-5eb25f8c6ebd

Identification info

Metadata Language: English (en)

Character set: utf8

Dataset Reference Date (): 2017-08-18

Dataset Reference Date (): 2017-06-01

Identifier: https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/0c04050d-ed79-4864-a164-5eb25f8c6ebd

Identifier: doi: / 10.5285/0c04050d-ed79-4864-a164-5eb25f8c6ebd

Other citation details: Bealey, W.J., Roberts, E.M. (2017). Interest features and linked critical load/level values for UK protected sites. NERC Environmental Information Data Centre 10.5285/0c04050d-ed79-4864-a164-5eb25f8c6ebd

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Bealey, W.J.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3708-5864

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Roberts, E.M.

NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre

NERC Environmental Information Data Centre

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Bealey, W.J.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3708-5864

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 ()

Protected Sites

Limitations on Public Access: otherRestrictions

Other constraints: no limitations

Use constraints: otherRestrictions

Other constraints: This resource is made available under the terms of the Open Government Licence

Use constraints: otherRestrictions

Other constraints: © UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Use constraints: otherRestrictions

Other constraints: If you reuse this data, you should cite: Bealey, W.J., Roberts, E.M. (2017). Interest features and linked critical load/level values for UK protected sites. NERC Environmental Information Data Centre https://doi.org/10.5285/0c04050d-ed79-4864-a164-5eb25f8c6ebd

Spatial representation type: textTable

Topic category

Environment

Code: WGS 84

Distribution Information

Data format

Comma-separated values (CSV) ()

Resource Locator: Download data
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Resource Locator: Supporting information
Supporting information available to assist in re-use of this dataset

Resource Locator: Download data
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Resource Locator: Supporting information
Supporting information available to assist in re-use of this dataset

Quality Scope: dataset

Other: dataset

Report

Dataset Reference Date (): 2010-12-08

Statement: Critical loads and levels have been applied to interest features across the designated network (SAC, SPA, and SSSI for England only) where a suitable match can be made. Critical load and level values are set out in the 'Manual on methodologies and criteria for Modelling and Mapping Critical Loads & Levels and Air Pollution Effects, Risks and Trends (CLRTAP, 2004 to 2016). Matching relevant critical loads and levels for interest features (habitats) have been made using the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) classification and broad habitats under the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Empirical critical loads for nutrient nitrogen are assigned to a habitat using habitat correspondence tables to determine the relationship between the EUNIS classes for which nitrogen critical loads are set and the interest features. Justifications were provided for each match between an interest feature and its relevant critical load. Critical loads of acidity are based on soil and habitat types and were based on six Broad Habitats; acid grassland, calcareous grassland, dwarf shrub heath, bogs, montane, unmanaged coniferous and broadleaved woodland (UK Biodiversity Action Plan, 1994). For species relevant critical loads were applied to the specie's habitat and not the species itself. For example, for SPA bird features an assessment was made on the sensitivity of the habitat and how that would that affect the viability of the breeding, feeding or roosting of that species. Critical level values are not habitat specific, but have been set to cover broad vegetation types (e.g. forest arable, semi-natural), often with critical values set for sensitive lichens and bryophytes as in the case of ammonia. Linkages were made between habitat and species where possible to provide site relevant critical levels for ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. This work falls under the Air Pollution Information System (APIS) and is jointly funded between the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the UK pollution and conservation agencies including Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Environment Agency, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Metadata

File identifier: 0c04050d-ed79-4864-a164-5eb25f8c6ebd XML

Metadata Language: English (en)

Character set: ISO/IEC 8859-1 (also known as Latin 1)

Resource type: dataset

Hierarchy level name: dataset

Metadata Date: 2024-02-27T16:17:02

Metadata standard name: UK GEMINI

Metadata standard version: 2.3

NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre

Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg , Lancaster , LA1 4AP , UK

https://eidc.ac.uk/

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