The Ancient Woodland Inventory identifies over 52,000 ancient woodland sites in England. Ancient woodland is identified using presence or absence of woods from old maps, information about the wood's name, shape, internal boundaries, location relative to other features, ground survey, and aerial photography. The information recorded about each wood and stored on the Inventory Database includes its grid reference, its area in hectares and how much is semi-natural or replanted. Guidance document can be found on our Amazon Cloud Service Prior to the digitisation of the boundaries, only paper maps depicting each ancient wood at 1:50 000 scale were available.Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.

The inventory identifies over 52,000 ancient woodland sites in England. Ancient woodland is identified using presence or absence of woods from old maps, information about the wood's name, shape, internal boundaries, location relative to other features, ground survey, and aerial photography. The information recorded about each wood and stored on the Inventory Database includes its grid reference, its area in hectares and how much is semi-natural or replanted. Prior to the digitisation of the boundaries, only paper maps depicting each ancient wood at 1:50 000 scale were available.

In response to a 1980 select committee which recommended that ancient woods should be recognised and treated as a separate category, the NCCs compiled the Inventories of Ancient, Long-established and Semi-natural woodlands.

Ancient woodland refers to those woods that have had a continuous history of cover since before the period when planting and afforestation became common practice (mid‐1600s). These woodlands are important in terms of their biological and cultural value, and may even form links with prehistoric wildwoods. To date, unlike our European counterparts, no extensive study of ancient woodland has been conducted in the Republic of Ireland, leaving these irreplaceable habitats open to threats such as woodland clearance. This polygon shapefile constitutes the main output from the Ancient and long-established Woodland Inventory 2010.

A total of 481 woodland sites were digitised and the following categories were set up: - Possible ancient woodland (PAW) stands have been continuously wooded since 1660. - After additional research some PAW stands were upgraded to ancient woodland (AW) status. - Long‐established woodlands (LEW) have been continuously wooded since 1830. There are two sub‐categories, LEW (I) stands for which no evidence of antiquity could be found in older documentation, and LEW (II) stands for which there is evidence that the site is not ancient.

In addition, for each digitised polygon the stand type on the OS maps was determined. The categories used were semi‐natural broadleaf (SNB), mixed woodland (MW), conifer plantation (CP), non‐native broadleaf (NNB) and recent clearfell (RC).

This inventory is provisional in nature, investigating only a subset of Ireland’s woodland resource and available historical documents. However, it presents a working methodology to assist in the identification of these sites in Ireland. This study also promotes taking a multidisciplinary approach in the study of ancient woodlands.

Latest update: October 2025 Updated Boundaries of Ancient Woodland polygons covering England. This is the updated spatial dataset that describes the geographic extent and location of ancient woodland in England (excluding the Isles of Scilly). Ancient Woodland features will be approved county-by-county for publication throughout the first year of production until the data product coverage extends across England. Where available this dataset takes precedence over the Ancient Woodland – England dataset. The update revises the inventory to address problems and gaps in the previous iteration. Technological advances mean that small ancient woodlands (0.25-2ha) are being represented within the inventory for the first time as well as wood pasture and parkland being represented as its own category. The inventory identifies ancient woodland sites in England. Ancient woodland is identified by studying the presence or absence of woods from historic maps, information about the wood's name, shape, internal boundaries, location relative to other features, ground survey, and aerial photography. The information recorded about each wood and stored on the Inventory Database includes its grid reference, its area in hectares and how much is semi-natural or replanted. Prior to the digitisation of the boundaries, only paper maps depicting each ancient wood at 1:50 000 scale were available. Attribution statement: © Natural England 2024. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2024. OS AC0000851168. It includes Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW), which retains a native tree and shrub cover; Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), where the original tree cover has been felled and replaced by planting, often with conifers; Ancient Wood Pasture (AWPP), where the trees are managed in tandem with a long established tradition of grazing, characteristically with at least some veteran trees or shrubs or; Infilled Ancient Wood Pasture (IAWPP) which has become infilled with trees arising from planting or natural regeneration. The AWI Update project will deliver an accurate inventory of the entirety of England’s ancient woodland resource, including those woods smaller than 2ha which are currently not mapped on the AWI. It will also ensure that the AWI is used and respected by planners, developers, land managers and all those who make and use spatial plans in England’s countryside. Lineage The ancient woodland boundaries are digitised to OS MasterMap - assessed by licencing staff as suitable for OS Presumption to Publish process. However, the maps that Ancient Woodlands are based upon include the OS 1” First Edition maps, the OS 1:25 000 and the OS 1:50 000 maps. The boundaries cannot be taken as precise, especially where they are surrounded by woodland, and are only precisely comparable with other boundaries at the 1” map scale (1:63 360). The inventory identifies over 22,000 ancient woodland sites in England. Ancient woodland is identified using presence or absence of woods from old maps, information about the wood's name, shape, internal boundaries, location relative to other features, ground survey, and aerial photography. The information recorded about each wood and stored on the Inventory Database includes its grid reference, its area in hectares and how much is semi-natural or replanted. Prior to the digitisation of the boundaries, only paper maps depicting each ancient wood at 1:50 000 scale were available. The datasets consulted: OS MasterMap, OS First Edition Maps (Historic County Series Maps Epoch 1-4), Historic OS Drawings, Aerial Imagery, Original AWI Datasheets, Open Source old historical maps (varies depending on county agreements), BSBI Indicator species data, County Tithe Maps, Forestry Commission National Forest Inventory and Forest Condition Survey. Besides the isolated and modified woodland boundaries derived from OS MasterMap that have been identified Ancient Woodland, additional third party data is viewed for informative purposes only during the creation of the project layer. No data from any other of these third party sources is copied, transferred or viewable in the layer to be published." Attributes Column HeadingFull NameFormatDescriptionNAMEWoodland NameText (150)The name of the ancient woodland (if known)THEMEHabitat ThemeText (19)Type of Habitat (In this case, Ancient Woodland)THEMENAMEWoodland StatusText (37)Whether it is Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland, Ancient Wood Pasture or Ancient Replanted WoodlandTHEMEIDUnique Identifier NumberText (255)The persistent ID for that wood, this comes in various formats depending on the ID number generated by the AWI Officer at the time and in kept persistent to match their records in case they need to be referenced back for queries e.g. ESS1001 for woodlands in Essex.STATUSWoodland Status (Abbreviated)Text (8)The abbreviated version of the ThemeName (for Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland this is ASNW, for Ancient Wood Pasture this is AWP or IAWP for infilled wood pasture, for Ancient Replanted Woodland this is PAWS for data legacy reasons).PERIMETERWoodland PerimeterDoubleThe perimeter of the wood in kilometresAREAAreaDoubleThe area of the wood in hectaresX_COORDCenter X CoordinateLongThe grid reference of the centroid of the wood (this should be in the centre of the wood, unless this does not fall inside the wood, in which case another centroid will be found guaranteed to be inside the woodY_COORDCenter Y CordinateLongThe grid reference of the centroid of the wood (this should be in the centre of the wood, unless this does not fall inside the wood, in which case another centroid will be found guaranteed to be inside the woodFull metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.

This is an extract from the Ancient Woodland Inventory for the West of England, including North Somerset. Ancient woodland is identified using presence or absence of woods from old maps, information about the wood's name, shape, internal boundaries, location relative to other features, ground survey, and aerial photography.

This dataset references directly NatureScot's Open Data Hub, the data is not hosted in Stirling's platform and, therefore, will be updated as soon as NatureScot releases any updates.Symbology for the layers published as per NatureScot.https://opendata.nature.scot/A more sophisticated classification was developed for woodlands in Scotland due to the nature of the available historical sources. IMPORTANT. For Scottish woods, the category Ancient comprises woods recorded as being of semi-natural origin on EITHER the 1750 Roy maps OR the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey maps of 1860. This is due a) to the likelihood of the latter having been omitted from the Roy maps and b) to render the Scottish classification compatible with that for England and Wales.

A more sophisticated classification was developed for woodlands in Scotland due to the nature of the available historical sources. IMPORTANT. For Scottish woods, the category Ancient comprises woods recorded as being of semi-natural origin on EITHER the 1750 Roy maps OR the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey maps of 1860. This is due a) to the likelihood of the latter having been omitted from the Roy maps and b) to render the Scottish classification compatible with that for England and Wales.More information at the NatureScot websiteComplete metadata

The aim of the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) was to undertake a baseline survey of all native woodlands, nearly native woodlands and PAWS sites in Scotland in order to create a woodland map linked to a dataset showing type, extent and condition of those woods.

The objectives were to:

Identify the location, type, extent and condition of all native and nearly native woodlands and Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS - as identified from the Ancient Woodland Inventory) in Scotland.Produce a baseline survey map of all native woodland, nearly native woodland and PAWS in Scotland.Collect baseline information to enable future monitoring of the extent and condition of the total Scottish native woodland resource.Provide information to support policy development and the delivery of social, environmental and development forestry.

The following NWSS datasets are available from Scottish Forestry.

Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (base map and polygon level attributes)NWSS Canopy StructureNWSS Habitat ComponentsNWSS Herbivore ImpactNWSS InvasivesNWSS Other TraitsNWSS Species Structures

The following describes the layers available from Scottish Forestry and also gives an indication of the nature of the spatial data and the related component non-spatial data. (N.B. Every table contains a SCPTDATA_I field. This is a unique field which is used to link all other component tables). If you wish to carry out complex analysis, particularly involving elements of the components tables, e.g. species selection, you should do so using GIS software.

NWSS Map:

This is a straightforward view of the data which describes the type of NWSS polygon based on the following categories:

Native woodland: >50% native species in the canopyNearly-native woodland: >=40% and <=50% native species in the canopyOpen land habitat: <20% canopy cover, usually 100% surrounded by woodland and adjoining a native woodlandPAWS: A woodland area wholly or partially identified in the Ancient Semi-natural Woodland Inventory as ancient semi-natural but currently not semi-natural.

NWSS Nativeness:

Displays the percentage share of native species in the total canopy. This ranges from 0% to 100% in 5% classes.

NWSS Habitat:

This view of the data shows the priority woodland type and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) woodland community. Open land habitat is defined by UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) type.

A dominant habitat is recorded for each polygon, however some polygons have habitats of equal dominance. In this case only one of the habitats is recorded in the top level spatial data. To identify all of the habitats in a particular polygon please refer to the NWSS Habitat Components table.

Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) may not display in the Habitat layer if a surveyor has not recorded a native priority habitat type for the site. This will happen when a site is non-native.

NWSS Canopy Cover:

Displays as a percentage, an assessment of the area covered by trees/shrubs. Values range from 0% to 100% in 10% classes. A minimum of 20% canopy cover is required to define woodland, so the 10% and 20% bands are skewed to allow for this.

NWSS Canopy Structures:

This displays the number of different structures recorded in a polygon (ranging from 0 to 6). The types of recorded structures are veteran, mature, pole immature, shrub, established regeneration or visible regeneration.

A dominant structure is recorded for each polygon, however some polygons have structures of equal dominance. In this case only one of the structures is recorded in the top level spatial data. To identify all of the structures in a particular polygon please refer to the NWSS Canopy Structures.

Information on the species identified in each polygon is also in the NWSS Canopy Structures layer and table.

• indicates a species which is classed as native for the purpose of the survey.

• indicates a species is a shrub not a tree.

NWSS Semi-naturalness:

This view of the data shows the percentage of the polygon that is semi-natural. Values range from 0% to 100% in 10% bands.

NWSS Maturity:

This indicates the approximate stage of woodland development as either: mature, young, regenerating, mixed or shrub. The value is based on the dominance of the structures recorded; a mixed maturity means that none of the others values are dominant.

NWSS Other Traits:

This layer records whether or not there are any other attributes which have been recorded in the polygon. The details of any other traits that have been found can be accessed by viewing the related information attached to a polygon.

NWSS Herbivore Impact:

This view of the data shows the overall impact that herbivores have had on a polygon.

Summary of Attributes

SCPTDATA_I Polygon ID (Unique identifier)PAWS_SURVY Surveyed as PAWSTYPE TypeCANOPY_PCT Canopy cover percentageNATIVE_PCT Native species percentageDOM_HABITA Dominant habitat typeDOM_HB_PCT Dominant habitat type percentageSEMINT_PCT Semi-natural percentageSTRUCT_NUM Number of structuresMATURITY MaturityDOM_STRUCT Dominant structureHERBIVORE Herbivore impactER_NAT_PCT Percentage of establish regeneration of native speciesINVASV_PCT Invasive species percentageINVASV_NUM Number of invasive speciesOTHR_TRAIT Other traits recordedHECTARES Area in hectaresFor more detailed information please see the metadata record on Scotland's SpatialData.gov.scot Metadata Portal

Long established woodland has been present in England since at least 1893. While not ancient, these woodlands are still very important. They have had many decades to develop rich biodiversity and they often contain important old-growth features and deliver a range of ecosystem services.

Ancient woodland refers to those woods that have had a continuous history of cover since before the period when planting and afforestation became common practice (mid‐1600s). These woodlands are important in terms of their biological and cultural value, and may even form links with prehistoric wildwoods. To date, unlike our European counterparts, no extensive study of ancient woodland has been conducted in the Republic of Ireland, leaving these irreplaceable habitats open to threats such as woodland clearance. This polygon shapefile constitutes the main output from the Ancient and long-established Woodland Inventory 2010.

A total of 481 woodland sites were digitised and the following categories were set up: - Possible ancient woodland (PAW) stands have been continuously wooded since 1660. - After additional research some PAW stands were upgraded to ancient woodland (AW) status. - Long‐established woodlands (LEW) have been continuously wooded since 1830. There are two sub‐categories, LEW (I) stands for which no evidence of antiquity could be found in older documentation, and LEW (II) stands for which there is evidence that the site is not ancient.

In addition, for each digitised polygon the stand type on the OS maps was determined. The categories used were semi‐natural broadleaf (SNB), mixed woodland (MW), conifer plantation (CP), non‐native broadleaf (NNB) and recent clearfell (RC).

This inventory is provisional in nature, investigating only a subset of Ireland’s woodland resource and available historical documents. However, it presents a working methodology to assist in the identification of these sites in Ireland. This study also promotes taking a multidisciplinary approach in the study of ancient woodlands.

This layer combines the original Section 3 Woodland layer (Dataset 47) with the Ancient Woodland Inventory published by Natural England (Dataset 158). This layer supersedes Section 3 Woodland and is used in any planning decisions. This layer will also replace Section 3 Woodland in the automatic constraints checker.

The HS2 Ancient Woodland Reporting data shows updated information on HS2's impacts, compensation measures and innovation regarding ancient woodlands since 2017 on Phase One. The HS2 Ancient Woodland Reporting data comprises ancient woodland as-built extents (what has been delivered to date), reporting extents and label points of the reporting extents. The ancient woodland as-built extents shows design information sourced from stage 6 (as-built) information. The data is categorised into type of impact (retained, loss, translocation of soils, compensation and enhancement) and is derived from source CAD and Natural England Ancient Woodland Inventory as necessary. The reporting extent data shows indicative reporting extents of ancient woodland impacted by HS2. The label point data shows the ancient woodlands impacted by HS2. Both the reporting extent data and the label points data are derived from Natural England Ancient Woodland Inventory extents and HS2 ancient woodland design (mitigation) information to support the annual HS2 Ancient Woodland Summary Report. The HS2 Ancient Woodland Reporting dataset is updated on an annual basis as design develops and further phases of HS2 move into the construction phase.

Ancient woodland design information sourced from stage 6 (as-built) information. Data is categorised into type of impact, i.e. retained, loss, translocation of soils, compensation and enhancement. Data is derived from source CAD and Natural England Ancient Woodland Inventory as necessary.

This map relates to Topic Paper 02 - Biodiversity and Nature which forms part of Stirling Council's Evidence Report. The Evidence Report is the first stage in the preparation of the new Local Development Plan (LDP3).This Topic Paper establishes an evidence base to guide the protection and enhancement of biodiversity both within and beyond designated areas. It identifies opportunities for creating multi-benefit nature networks and identifies strategies and plans to support biodiversity enhancements at all scales of new development and in association with other types of land use change.Data included in the map:Local landscape Areas..................................(MP065)Local Nature Conservation Sites...................(MP067)LDP 2018 Open Space Audit Sites (2010)....(MP068)Native Woodland...........................................(MP069)Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)...................(MP070)National Nature Reserves (NNR)..................(MP072)Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).....(MP073)Special Protection Areas (SPA)....................(MP075)Habitats and Species...................................(MP076)Ancient Woodland Inventory........................(MP077)Habitat Map.................................................(MP076)Flood Risk...................................................(MP078)Forest and Woodland Strategy...................(MP081)Geological Consultation Review Sites........(MP087)Inner Forth Areas........................................(MP066)

This dataset is a non-spatial table that identifies other recorded traits of NWSS.The aim of the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) was to undertake a baseline survey of all native woodlands, nearly native woodlands and PAWS sites in Scotland in order to create a woodland map linked to a dataset showing type, extent and condition of those woods. The objectives were to:Identify the location, type, extent and condition of all native and nearly native woodlands and Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS - as identified from the Ancient Woodland Inventory) in Scotland.Produce a baseline survey map of all native woodland, nearly native woodland and PAWS in Scotland.Collect baseline information to enable future monitoring of the extent and condition of the total Scottish native woodland resource.Provide information to support policy development and the delivery of social, environmental and development forestry.The following NWSS datasets are available from Scottish Forestry.Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (base map and polygon level attributes)NWSS Canopy StructureNWSS Habitat ComponentsNWSS Herbivore ImpactNWSS InvasivesNWSS Other TraitsNWSS Species StructuresThe following describes the layers available from Scottish Forestry and also gives an indication of the nature of the spatial data and the related component non-spatial data. (N.B. Every table contains a SCPTDATA_I field. This is a unique field which is used to link all other component tables). If you wish to carry out complex analysis, particularly involving elements of the components tables, e.g. species selection, you should do so using GIS software.NWSS Map:This is a straightforward view of the data which describes the type of NWSS polygon based on the following categories:Native woodland: >50% native species in the canopyNearly-native woodland: >=40% and <=50% native species in the canopyOpen land habitat: <20% canopy cover, usually 100% surrounded by woodland and adjoining a native woodlandPAWS: A woodland area wholly or partially identified in the Ancient Semi-natural Woodland Inventory as ancient semi-natural but currently not semi-natural.NWSS Nativeness:Displays the percentage share of native species in the total canopy. This ranges from 0% to 100% in 5% classes.NWSS Habitat:This view of the data shows the priority woodland type and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) woodland community. Open land habitat is defined by UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) type.A dominant habitat is recorded for each polygon, however some polygons have habitats of equal dominance. In this case only one of the habitats is recorded in the top level spatial data. To identify all of the habitats in a particular polygon please refer to the NWSS Habitat Components table.Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) may not display in the Habitat layer if a surveyor has not recorded a native priority habitat type for the site. This will happen when a site is non-native.NWSS Canopy Cover:Displays as a percentage, an assessment of the area covered by trees/shrubs. Values range from 0% to 100% in 10% classes. A minimum of 20% canopy cover is required to define woodland, so the 10% and 20% bands are skewed to allow for this.NWSS Canopy Structures:This displays the number of different structures recorded in a polygon (ranging from 0 to 6). The types of recorded structures are veteran, mature, pole immature, shrub, established regeneration or visible regeneration.A dominant structure is recorded for each polygon, however some polygons have structures of equal dominance. In this case only one of the structures is recorded in the top level spatial data. To identify all of the structures in a particular polygon please refer to the NWSS Canopy Structures.Information on the species identified in each polygon is also in the NWSS Canopy Structures layer and table.* indicates a species which is classed as native for the purpose of the survey.+ indicates a species is a shrub not a tree.NWSS Semi-naturalness:This view of the data shows the percentage of the polygon that is semi-natural. Values range from 0% to 100% in 10% bands.NWSS Maturity:This indicates the approximate stage of woodland development as either: mature, young, regenerating, mixed or shrub. The value is based on the dominance of the structures recorded; a mixed maturity means that none of the others values are dominant.NWSS Other Traits:This layer records whether or not there are any other attributes which have been recorded in the polygon. The details of any other traits that have been found can be accessed by viewing the related information attached to a polygon.NWSS Herbivore Impact:This view of the data shows the overall impact that herbivores have had on a polygon.Summary of AttributesSCPTDATA_I Polygon ID (Unique identifier)PAWS_SURVY Surveyed as PAWSTYPE TypeCANOPY_PCT Canopy cover percentageNATIVE_PCT Native species percentageDOM_HABITA Dominant habitat typeDOM_HB_PCT Dominant habitat type percentageSEMINT_PCT Semi-natural percentageSTRUCT_NUM Number of structuresMATURITY MaturityDOM_STRUCT Dominant structureHERBIVORE Herbivore impactER_NAT_PCT Percentage of establish regeneration of native speciesINVASV_PCT Invasive species percentageINVASV_NUM Number of invasive speciesOTHR_TRAIT Other traits recordedHECTARES Area in hectaresFor more detailed information please see the metadata record on Scotland"s SpatialData.gov.scot Metadata Portal

The Priority Habitat Inventory is a spatial dataset that maps priority habitats identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and listed as being of principal importance for the purpose of conserving or enhancing biodiversity, under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006). The PHI is updated twice a year and where possible habitats are mapped to polygons in OS Mastermap. These polygons are merged or split where necessary to create resulting habitat patches. The PHI currently maps 27 terrestrial and freshwater priority habitats across England. These being: Blanket bog (BLBOG), Calaminarian grassland (CALAM), Coastal & floodplain grazing marsh (CFPGM), Coastal saltmarsh (SALTM), Coastal sand dunes (CSDUN), Coastal vegetated shingle (CVSHI), Deciduous woodland (DWOOD), Limestone pavements (LPAVE), Lowland calcareous grassland (LCGRA), Lowland dry acid grassland (LDAGR), Lowland Fens (LFENS), Lowland heathland (LHEAT), Lowland meadows (LMEAD), Lowland raised bog (LRBOG), Maritime cliff & slope (MCSLP), Mountain heath & willow scrub (MHWSC), Mudflats (MUDFL), Purple moor grass & rush pastures (PMGRP), Reedbeds (RBEDS), Saline lagoons (SLAGO), Traditional orchards (TORCH), Upland calcareous grassland (UCGRA), Upland hay meadows (UHMEA), Upland heathland (UHEAT), Upland flushes, fens & swamps (UFFSW), Lakes (LAKES), Ponds (PONDS). The PHI also includes four habitat classes which are not priority habitats, but which hold potential importance for conservation of biodiversity in England. These can indicate a mosaic of habitat which may contain priority habitats, have restoration potential and/or contribute to ecological networks. Where evidence indicates the presence of unmapped or fragmented priority habitats within such polygons, these are attributed as additional habitats. These being: Fragmented heath (FHEAT), Grass moorland (GMOOR), Good quality semi-improved grassland (GQSIG), No main habitat (NMHAB). For some polygons the PHI contains additional information about the main habitats in the form of feature descriptions and corresponding feature codes. These being: Priority Ponds and lakes - Oligotrophic lakes (OLIGO), Dystrophic lakes (DYSTR), Mesotrophic lakes (MESOT), Eutrophic standing waters (EUTRO), Ice age pond (ICEAG), Pond with floating mats (PWFLM) Deciduous woodland – Upland Oakwood (UPOWD), Lowland beech and yew woodland (LBYWD), Upland mixed ashwoods (UMAWD), Wet Woodland (WETWD), Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (ASNWD), Plantations on ancient woodland (PAWDS) Grassland – Countryside Stewardship Option (CSOPT), Waxcap grassland (WAXCP) Heathland – Dry Heathland (DRYHL), Wet heathland (WETHL) Coastal sand dunes – Dunes under coniferous woodland (CWDUN), Dunes under deciduous woodland (DWDUN) General – Degraded (DEGRD) Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right [year].

This dataset is a non-spatial table that identifies the Herbivore Impact of NWSS.The aim of the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) was to undertake a baseline survey of all native woodlands, nearly native woodlands and PAWS sites in Scotland in order to create a woodland map linked to a dataset showing type, extent and condition of those woods. The objectives were to:Identify the location, type, extent and condition of all native and nearly native woodlands and Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS - as identified from the Ancient Woodland Inventory) in Scotland.Produce a baseline survey map of all native woodland, nearly native woodland and PAWS in Scotland.Collect baseline information to enable future monitoring of the extent and condition of the total Scottish native woodland resource.Provide information to support policy development and the delivery of social, environmental and development forestry.The following NWSS datasets are available from Scottish Forestry.Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (base map and polygon level attributes)NWSS Canopy StructureNWSS Habitat ComponentsNWSS Herbivore ImpactNWSS InvasivesNWSS Other TraitsNWSS Species StructuresThe following describes the layers available from Scottish Forestry and also gives an indication of the nature of the spatial data and the related component non-spatial data. (N.B. Every table contains a SCPTDATA_I field. This is a unique field which is used to link all other component tables). If you wish to carry out complex analysis, particularly involving elements of the components tables, e.g. species selection, you should do so using GIS software.NWSS Map:This is a straightforward view of the data which describes the type of NWSS polygon based on the following categories:Native woodland: >50% native species in the canopyNearly-native woodland: >=40% and <=50% native species in the canopyOpen land habitat: <20% canopy cover, usually 100% surrounded by woodland and adjoining a native woodlandPAWS: A woodland area wholly or partially identified in the Ancient Semi-natural Woodland Inventory as ancient semi-natural but currently not semi-natural.NWSS Nativeness:Displays the percentage share of native species in the total canopy. This ranges from 0% to 100% in 5% classes.NWSS Habitat:This view of the data shows the priority woodland type and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) woodland community. Open land habitat is defined by UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) type.A dominant habitat is recorded for each polygon, however some polygons have habitats of equal dominance. In this case only one of the habitats is recorded in the top level spatial data. To identify all of the habitats in a particular polygon please refer to the NWSS Habitat Components table.Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) may not display in the Habitat layer if a surveyor has not recorded a native priority habitat type for the site. This will happen when a site is non-native.NWSS Canopy Cover:Displays as a percentage, an assessment of the area covered by trees/shrubs. Values range from 0% to 100% in 10% classes. A minimum of 20% canopy cover is required to define woodland, so the 10% and 20% bands are skewed to allow for this.NWSS Canopy Structures:This displays the number of different structures recorded in a polygon (ranging from 0 to 6). The types of recorded structures are veteran, mature, pole immature, shrub, established regeneration or visible regeneration.A dominant structure is recorded for each polygon, however some polygons have structures of equal dominance. In this case only one of the structures is recorded in the top level spatial data. To identify all of the structures in a particular polygon please refer to the NWSS Canopy Structures.Information on the species identified in each polygon is also in the NWSS Canopy Structures layer and table.* indicates a species which is classed as native for the purpose of the survey.+ indicates a species is a shrub not a tree.NWSS Semi-naturalness:This view of the data shows the percentage of the polygon that is semi-natural. Values range from 0% to 100% in 10% bands.NWSS Maturity:This indicates the approximate stage of woodland development as either: mature, young, regenerating, mixed or shrub. The value is based on the dominance of the structures recorded; a mixed maturity means that none of the others values are dominant.NWSS Other Traits:This layer records whether or not there are any other attributes which have been recorded in the polygon. The details of any other traits that have been found can be accessed by viewing the related information attached to a polygon.NWSS Herbivore Impact:This view of the data shows the overall impact that herbivores have had on a polygon.Summary of AttributesSCPTDATA_I Polygon ID (Unique identifier)PAWS_SURVY Surveyed as PAWSTYPE TypeCANOPY_PCT Canopy cover percentageNATIVE_PCT Native species percentageDOM_HABITA Dominant habitat typeDOM_HB_PCT Dominant habitat type percentageSEMINT_PCT Semi-natural percentageSTRUCT_NUM Number of structuresMATURITY MaturityDOM_STRUCT Dominant structureHERBIVORE Herbivore impactER_NAT_PCT Percentage of establish regeneration of native speciesINVASV_PCT Invasive species percentageINVASV_NUM Number of invasive speciesOTHR_TRAIT Other traits recordedHECTARES Area in hectaresFor more detailed information please see the metadata record on Scotland's SpatialData.gov.scot Metadata Portal