Acidification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

The dataset was collected as part of a specific project and is no longer used by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for reporting purposes. This dataset is to be kept for reference and as part of former Countryside Council for Wales' data archive. The data was collected between 1992 and 1993 and used as part of a specific data modelling exercise. Site specific information about Welsh Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that are under threat from acidification, with predicted damage under three scenarios of acid rain reduction. 218 sites are involved at the worst level of acidification and 86 sites are involved under the best scenario modelled (out of 845 SSSIs in Wales in total). The data include the area of the site at risk and the communities at risk. In the UK Critical Loads Advisory Group report on Critical and Target Load Maps for Soils in Great Britain the production of soils critical loads maps is explained as follows: The soil information is based on 1km squares of the UK Ordnance Survey national grid and on 1:250000 scale soil maps and supporting databases. The soil maps for Wales was produced and published by the Soil survey and land research centre. The critical load assigned to each 1 km square was the Critical for the soil association what occupied the largest proportion of search square. Each map unit was placed in one of five soil classes. These five soil classes were based on soil mineralogy. This dataset was created to help describe the 'stock at risk' according to the Critical load exceeding limits (due to sulphur) at a 1 km resolution. The dataset was used to as an assessment of the biological SSSIs within areas where the soil's critical load for sulphur was predicted to exceed in 2005, when the agreed 60 percent reduction in SO2 from large combustion plants in Europe is implemented. The data was also used to consider the ecological benefits which may accrue if greater emission reduction targets are agreed. A possible 80 percent reduction was examined and compared with the predicted effects of the current scenario.

Identifier: NRW_DS24323

Alternative Title

Asideiddio ar Safleoedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig (SDdGA)

Metadata Language: English

Lineage: A predictive modelling approach was taken to assess the effects of critical load on SSSIs. Firstly soils were classed based on their mineralogy. Each soil classes were assigned a single critical load value (1-5). Only the top 50 cm of the soil profile was considered. The soils critical load map was combined with a sulphur deposition map. The long range transport of atmospheric pollutants was modelling using simple, single level trajectory approach. SSSIs were then identified and the predictions were made based on 20 km grid squares, and later 1 km grid squares. There is Medium confidence in this dataset as no ground truthing occurred and therefore it was noted in the associated CCW Scientific Report (No. 26) that no directive evidence of site damage can be inferred.

Dataset Reference Date (Publication): 2005-12-31

Temporal Extent

Begin date: 1992-01-01

End date: 2005-12-31

Topic category

Environment
Climatology, meteorology, atmosphere

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Originator

Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)

Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW

http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/

Extent

Geographic Extent: Wales (WLS)

Format Type and Description

Documents ()

Specification

[A] Dataset is comprised of statistical data held on paper and Recorder 6 [B] Geographic data held digitally in MapInfo [C] Summary data was published in a CCW report (paper copy only)

Data quality

Quality Scope: Dataset

Conformity: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation
Degree: false

Lineage: A predictive modelling approach was taken to assess the effects of critical load on SSSIs. Firstly soils were classed based on their mineralogy. Each soil classes were assigned a single critical load value (1-5). Only the top 50 cm of the soil profile was considered. The soils critical load map was combined with a sulphur deposition map. The long range transport of atmospheric pollutants was modelling using simple, single level trajectory approach. SSSIs were then identified and the predictions were made based on 20 km grid squares, and later 1 km grid squares. There is Medium confidence in this dataset as no ground truthing occurred and therefore it was noted in the associated CCW Scientific Report (No. 26) that no directive evidence of site damage can be inferred.

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2008-06-01

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus

SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest)
acidification
acid rain (see also acid water- acidification- acid depositation)
pollution (see also specific types of pollution eg. oil pollution)

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2023-12-31

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Keywords

Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary

air pollution

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Revision): 2013-04-03

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.subjects

Code: British National Grid (EPSG::27700)

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

NRW Related Title: Terrestrial SSSIs at risk from soil acidification in Wales : a report on the sites where atmospheric sulphur deposition will still exceed the soil's critical load for acidity in 2005, with the current agreed E.C. sulphur emission reduction

NRW Related Title: Terrestrial SSSIs at risk from soil acidification in Wales : a report on the sites where atmospheric sulphur deposition will still exceed the soil's critical load for acidity in 2005, with the current agreed E.C. sulphur emission reduction. Volume 2 (Confidential)

NRW Related Title: Terrestrial SSSIs at risk from soil acidification in Wales : a report on the sites where atmospheric sulphur deposition will still exceed the soil's critical load for acidity in 2005, with the current agreed E.C. sulphur emission reduction volume 1

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type: Other restrictions

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations: no limitations

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints: There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.

Use Constraints

Use constraints type: Other restrictions

Other constraints: © 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.

Metadata

File Identifier: 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-3234333233 XML

Metadata Language: English

Resource type: Dataset

Metadata Date: 2024-05-31T09:16:05.464Z

Metadata Standard Name: NRW

Metadata Standard Version: 1.0

pointOfContact

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Publishing Body

Access the portal

Full access to the portal and metadata.

Acidification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

Identification

Temporal Extent

Extent

Extent

Distribution

Quality

Data quality

Keywords

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Spatial Reference System

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Access Constraints Directive

Access Constraints Text

Use Constraints

Metadata

Metadata

Publishing Body