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.

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 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.

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

This dataset comprises of the boundaries of Ancient Woodland sites in Wales. Each site is categorised as either Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW), Restored Ancient Woodland Site (RAWS), Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) or Ancient Woodland Site of Unknown Category (AWSU). Initially all woods greater than 2 ha shown on the Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:25 000 1st Series maps surveyed between 1880 and 1960 were considered. Evidence as to which of these were ancient was provided by presence on the earlier 19th century OS 1st Edition Maps (surveyed 1805 - 1873; scale 1:63 360). The general presumption was that woodland on 1800s maps was ancient, unless there was other evidence that the wood originated between 1600AD and 1800. Supportive indications of ancient status included the woo d's name, its situation in the landscape, and the nature of both the surrounding pattern of enclosure and the pattern of boundaries within the wood. Where available, field survey data such as the presence of indicator species, or other historical maps and documents were also used. In mountainous areas such as Wales the first edition Ordnance Survey 1 inch maps were hard to interpret because the heavy hatching used to indicate steep slopes tended to obscure tree symbols. The 2021 update to the ancient woodland inventory includes changes to the 2011 version resulting from the provision of additional evidence presented to NRW through public enquiries. This includes private estate maps, tithe maps, management records and photographs. The evidence has been considered by a panel of NRW experts and the inventory amended if the evidence indicates that a site has had another land use for a significant period, i.e. woodland is absent from the site in two consecutive epochs of OS historic maps, or there has been significant ground disturbance to the site, e.g. quarrying, mining or development. Amendments include removal of sites from the inventory, adjustments to boundaries or changes to the ancient woodland category of sites. The 2011 version remained static until it was replaced by the 2021 version The 2021 version is being updated at least annually as new evicence becomes available. An older 2004 version of the dataset also exists - please see metadata for dataset number NRW_DS125363 - Ancient Woodland Inventory for Wales 2004 (AWI2004) https://libcat.naturalresources.wales/folio/?oid=125363

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.

Latest update: May 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. 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 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. 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." Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.

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: 1. 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. 2. Produce a baseline survey map of all native woodland, nearly native woodland and PAWS in Scotland. 3. Collect baseline information to enable future monitoring of the extent and condition of the total Scottish native woodland resource. 4. Provide information to support policy development and the delivery of social, environmental and development forestry. The following datasets are available on the Scottish Forestry Open Data website: - Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (base map and polygon level attributes) - NWSS Canopy Structures - NWSS Habitat Components - NWSS Herbivore Impact - NWSS Invasives - NWSS Other Traits - NWSS 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 canopy Nearly-native woodland: >=40% and <=50% native species in the canopy Open land habitat: <20% canopy cover, usually 100% surrounded by woodland and adjoining a native woodland PAWS: 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 FC_S_NWSS_HABITAT_COMPONENTS table or use the map browser identify tool on the NWSS Habitats layer. 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 FC_S_NWSS_CANOPY_STRUCTURES table or use the map browser identify tool on the NWSS Canopy Structures layer. 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. NWSS Invasives: This is a separate spatial dataset on the Forestry Commission Spatial Data Repository. It contains a subset of the overall NWSS Map dataset which includes only those polygons were there is some presence of an invasive species. The layer is symbolised on the percentage of invasive species with the polygons, show in 25% bands. The data itself contains more detailed information which is broken down into 5% bands. Summary of Attributes SCPTDATA_I Polygon ID (Unique identifier) PAWS_SURVY Surveyed as PAWS TYPE Type CANOPY_PCT Canopy cover percentage NATIVE_PCT Native species percentage DOM_HABITA Dominant habitat type DOM_HB_PCT Dominant habitat type percentage SEMINT_PCT Semi-natural percentage STRUCT_NUM Number of structures MATURITY Maturity DOM_STRUCT Dominant structure HERBIVORE Herbivore impact ER_NAT_PCT Percentage of establish regeneration of native species INVASV_PCT Invasive species percentage INVASV_NUM Number of invasive species OTHR_TRAIT Other traits recorded HECTARES Area in hectares

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. 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.

Section 3 Woodland. In the North York Moors, woodland covers 22% of the National Park but it varies considerably in type and scale. Coniferous plantation accounts for nearly three-quarters of the wooded area. The Section 3 Woodland map includes the following categories: all woodland defined as ancient semi-natural and ancient re-planted on the Provisional Ancient Woodland Inventories (published by the Nature Conservancy Council, now Natural England). Most re-planted woods will retain elements of the original woodland interest which may be of value or provide opportunities for restoration in the future; woodland which has a known high nature conservation interest, such as that identified in the National Park's Phase 1 and Phase 2 habitat surveys; semi-natural broadleaved woodland (ie woodland which has established itself by natural regeneration) except where it is in the process of colonising a more important habitat or where removal is preferred to restore another habitat; new native woodlands defined according to published guidelines (Forestry Commission Bulletin 112) where they are considered to have a high conservation value from the outset. (It is suggested that other newly established woodlands are not included until their landscape or nature conservation value can be demonstrated); any other area of woodland which is being specifically managed to enhance the woodland nature conservation interest; any broadleaf, conifer or mixed woodland which has a high landscape value which should be perpetuated; woodland which it is important to conserve for its recreational value, and hence the appreciation of natural beauty by the public.

In 2020, with generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ulster Wildlife, National Trust NI, RSPB NI and Woodland Trust NI came together to start building capacity to deliver Nature Recovery Networks in Northern Ireland. As part of the project, habitat networks maps were produced for all terrestrial and intertidal priority habitats, based on the Natural England (Edwards et al., 2020) methodology. The habitat networks comprise vector datasets that map areas of land into different network categories, based on how favourable the land is for restoration to, or creation of the priority habitat, and how effective actions in each area would be at enhancing connectivity of the priority habitat, based on proximity to existing habitat patches. A description of these network categories is provided in Table 1 in the methodology report, available at https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/EnvSys%20NI%20NRN%20mapping%20report.pdf. The habitat network maps do not represent a fully comprehensive depiction of land cover, nor do they provide specific land management options and do not therefore replace the need for an on-site ecological surveys/appraisals. The maps are intended to function as a decision-support tool alongside other pieces of information, both from on-site surveys and data from other sources.

This is the record for Ancient Semi Natural Woodland which forms a part of the Habitat Networks (Individual) (England) dataset (link below).

The habitat network maps seek to apply the best evidence and principles and to use the best available nationally consistent spatial data. The habitat network maps are developed around 4 distinct habitat components sets and include 4 distinct network zones where action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience. The different elements of the maps are described below: Habitat Components; • The location of existing patches of a specific habitat for which the network is developed. This is termed the ‘Primary habitat’ e.g. lowland heathland. The main baseline data used for this is the Priority Habitat Inventories (PHIv2.2). • The location of additional habitat that naturally form mosaics with the primary habitat e.g. habitats that are most likely to form ecological mosaics possibly used by species associated with the primary habitat. This is termed the ‘Associated habitat’. The main baseline data used for this is the Priority Habitat Inventories (PHIv2.2). • The locations where habitat creation or restoration is known to occur, this is primarily sites under relevant agri-environment options. This is termed the ‘Habitat creation’ • Sites where data suggests small fragments of the primary habitat or degraded habitat exists and where restoration may be possible, this is primarily developed from information held within the current PHI v2.2. This is termed the ‘Restorable habitat’.
Network Zones; • Land within close proximity to the existing habitat components that are more likely to be suitable for habitat re-creation for the particular habitat. These areas are primarily based on soils but in many cases has been refined by also using other data such as hydrology, altitude and proximity to the coast. This is termed the ‘Network Enhancement Zone 1’. • Land within close proximity to the existing habitat components that are unlikely to be suitable for habitat re-creation but where other types of habitat may be created or land management may be enhanced including delivery of suitable Green Infrastructure. This is termed the ‘Network Enhancement Zone 2’. • Land immediately adjoining existing habitat patches that are small or have excessive edge to area ratio where habitat creation is likely to help reduce the effects of habitat fragmentation. This is termed the ‘Fragmentation Action Zone’. • Land within relatively close proximity to the Network Enhancement Zones 1 & 2 that are more likely to be suitable for habitat creation for the particular habitat and identifying possible locations for connecting and linking up networks across a landscape. This is termed the ‘Network Expansion Zone’.
Note: For some habitat networks not all of the habitat components or all the action zones are identified either because the data does not exist or the habitat does not lend itself to identifying particular types of action. Further details are outlined in the Habitat Network Mapping Guidance document. The Network boundary is drawn around the 4 habitat components using a variable buffering process with a generalised distance of 500m although 1km was used for Blanket Bog. As the boundary for each habitat network is tightly drawn around the existing patches of habitat this means that at a national scale the habitat network is composed of a series of smaller ‘networks’ that encapsulates one or more clusters of existing habitat patches. These may be considered as ‘network segments’. The Network Expansion Zone has been drawn around these segments to identify areas where additional action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience across the wider landscape.

This is the record for Ancient Semi Natural Woodland which forms a part of the Habitat Networks (Individual) (England) dataset (link below). The habitat network maps seek to apply the best evidence and principles and to use the best available nationally consistent spatial data. The habitat network maps are developed around 4 distinct habitat components sets and include 4 distinct network zones where action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience. The different elements of the maps are described below: Habitat Components; • The location of existing patches of a specific habitat for which the network is developed. This is termed the ‘Primary habitat’ e.g. lowland heathland. The main baseline data used for this is the Priority Habitat Inventories (PHIv2.2). • The location of additional habitat that naturally form mosaics with the primary habitat e.g. habitats that are most likely to form ecological mosaics possibly used by species associated with the primary habitat. This is termed the ‘Associated habitat’. The main baseline data used for this is the Priority Habitat Inventories (PHIv2.2). • The locations where habitat creation or restoration is known to occur, this is primarily sites under relevant agri-environment options. This is termed the ‘Habitat creation’ • Sites where data suggests small fragments of the primary habitat or degraded habitat exists and where restoration may be possible, this is primarily developed from information held within the current PHI v2.2. This is termed the ‘Restorable habitat’. Network Zones; • Land within close proximity to the existing habitat components that are more likely to be suitable for habitat re-creation for the particular habitat. These areas are primarily based on soils but in many cases has been refined by also using other data such as hydrology, altitude and proximity to the coast. This is termed the ‘Network Enhancement Zone 1’. • Land within close proximity to the existing habitat components that are unlikely to be suitable for habitat re-creation but where other types of habitat may be created or land management may be enhanced including delivery of suitable Green Infrastructure. This is termed the ‘Network Enhancement Zone 2’. • Land immediately adjoining existing habitat patches that are small or have excessive edge to area ratio where habitat creation is likely to help reduce the effects of habitat fragmentation. This is termed the ‘Fragmentation Action Zone’. • Land within relatively close proximity to the Network Enhancement Zones 1 & 2 that are more likely to be suitable for habitat creation for the particular habitat and identifying possible locations for connecting and linking up networks across a landscape. This is termed the ‘Network Expansion Zone’. Note: For some habitat networks not all of the habitat components or all the action zones are identified either because the data does not exist or the habitat does not lend itself to identifying particular types of action. Further details are outlined in the Habitat Network Mapping Guidance document. The Network boundary is drawn around the 4 habitat components using a variable buffering process with a generalised distance of 500m although 1km was used for Blanket Bog. As the boundary for each habitat network is tightly drawn around the existing patches of habitat this means that at a national scale the habitat network is composed of a series of smaller ‘networks’ that encapsulates one or more clusters of existing habitat patches. These may be considered as ‘network segments’. The Network Expansion Zone has been drawn around these segments to identify areas where additional action may be undertaken to build greater ecological resilience across the wider landscape. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right [year].

Spatial data supporting the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) additional contribution targeting for Nature Recovery, where the layer indicates ‘Premium’, ‘Higher’ and ‘Lower’ priority areas for woodland network expansion. Data input sources: National Forest Inventory (NFI) 2012 Map plus additional woodland habitat network modelling provided by Forest Research. Habitat Networks (England) - Ancient Semi Natural Woodland 2019 map by Natural England Attributes: ‘cat’ – ‘Premium’, ‘Higher’ and ‘Lower’ priority area for woodland network expansion ‘ewco_score’ – the number of points the additional contribution provides per hectare, if awarded ‘ewco_val’ – £ value the additional contribution provides per hectare, if awarded Lineage: First published to support the woodland creation grant under Countryside Stewardship (CS), launched in 2015.  The layers attributes were updated in 2021 to cater for the new England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) scheme. The layer was edited in 2024 to add the ‘Premium’ priority area, based on data from the Habitat Networks (England) - Ancient Semi Natural Woodland map and the Countryside Stewardship elements removed.

Under the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Pilot, Natural England and the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) have been working in partnership to use BSBI's vast database of plant records to inform the evidence base for tree-planting activities. Poorly targeted tree planting risks damaging wildlife and carbon-rich habitats, therefore using these data we aim to ensure that areas of high conservation value are preserved in the landscape. The summarised botanical value map provides an easily interpretable output which categorises monads (1 x 1 km grid squares) as being of Low, Moderate or High botanical value according to the presence of Rare, Scarce and Threatened (RST) plant species and/or the proportion of Priority Habitat Positive Indicator (PHPI) species that were recorded within the 1 x 1 km grid square between 1970 and 2022. The PHPI species are a combination of BSBI axiophytes, positive indicators for common standards monitoring and ancient woodland indicators. The dataset includes an overall botanical value, as well as values based on only the presence of RST plant species, and a value for each broad habitat type based on the PHPI species records. By viewing the different attributes, you can gain insights into how valuable a monad is for different habitat types and for plant species of conservation concern, as well as an indication of how well a particular monad has been surveyed. The categories of 'No indicators, poor survey coverage' and 'No indicators, good survey coverage' indicate where no indicator species have been recorded and survey coverage either is above or below a threshold of 3 'recorder days'. A 'recorder day' is defined as being when 40 or more species have been recorded on a single visit and 3 recorder days is assumed sufficient to achieve good survey coverage within a 1 x 1 km grid square. This map is not intended to be used to carry out detailed assessments of individual site suitability for tree planting, for which the RST plant species heatmap at 100 x 100 m resolution and the PHPI heatmaps at 1 x 1 km resolution have been developed by BSBI and Natural England. However, the summarised botanical value map can provide useful insights at a strategic landscape scale, to highlight monads of high value for vascular plants and inform spatial planning and prioritisation, and other land management decision-making. These should be used alongside other environmental datasets and local knowledge to ensure decisions are supported by the appropriate evidence. Please get in contact if you have any queries about the data or appropriate uses at botanicalheatmaps@naturalengland.org.uk.Datasets used:BSBI botanical heatmap data - BSBIOS Grids - OSONS Country boundaries - ONSCommon Standards Monitoring guidance - JNCC 2004BSBI's Axiophyte list - Walker 2018Ancient Woodland Indicators - Glaves et al. 2009Plantatt - Hill et al. 2004Further information can be found in the technical report at:Botanical Heatmaps and the Botanical Value Map: Technical Report (NERR110)Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.

The Summarised Botanical Value Map for England is a map identifying areas likely to be rich in high quality habitat based on BSBI vascular plant records.

Under the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Pilot, Natural England and the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) have been working in partnership to use BSBI's vast database of plant records to inform the evidence base for tree-planting activities. Poorly targeted tree planting risks damaging wildlife and carbon-rich habitats, therefore using these data we aim to ensure that areas of high conservation value are preserved in the landscape.

The summarised botanical value map provides an easily interpretable output which categorises monads (1 x 1 km grid squares) as being of Low, Moderate or High botanical value according to the presence of Rare, Scarce and Threatened (RST) plant species and/or the proportion of Priority Habitat Positive Indicator (PHPI) species that were recorded within the 1 x 1 km grid square between 1970 and 2021. The PHPI species are a combination of BSBI axiophytes, positive indicators for common standards monitoring and ancient woodland indicators. The dataset includes an overall botanical value, as well as values based on only the presence of RST plant species, and a value for each broad habitat type based on the PHPI species records. By viewing the different attributes, you can gain insights into how valuable a monad is for different habitat types and for plant species of conservation concern, as well as an indication of how well a particular monad has been surveyed. The categories of 'No indicators, poor survey coverage' and 'No indicators, good survey coverage' indicate where no indicator species have been recorded and survey coverage either is above or below a threshold of 3 'recorder days'. A 'recorder day' is defined as being when 40 or more species have been recorded on a single visit and 3 recorder days is assumed sufficient to achieve good survey coverage within a 1 x 1 km grid square.

This map is not intended to be used to carry out detailed assessments of individual site suitability for tree planting, for which the RST plant species heatmap at 100 x 100 m resolution and the PHPI heatmaps at 1 x 1 km resolution have been developed by BSBI and Natural England. However, the summarised botanical value map can provide useful insights at a strategic landscape scale, to highlight monads of high value for vascular plants and inform spatial planning and prioritisation, and other land management decision-making. These should be used alongside other environmental datasets and local knowledge to ensure decisions are supported by the appropriate evidence. Please get in contact if you have any queries about the data or appropriate uses at botanicalheatmaps@naturalengland.org.uk

Further information can be found in the technical report here: http://nepubprod.appspot.com/publication/5063363230171136.

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

These spatial datasets consider the lands contribution to preventing and mitigating climate change, through storage of carbon in the Soils (below ground) & Vegetation (above ground). This total carbon spatial datasets represent a strategic resource for England, that indicate the range of carbon storage values in tonnes of carbon per hectare (t C Ha-1 ). At a local scale (e.g. 1:50 000). They are presented as a series of raster datasets for use in GIS Systems at a resolution of 25m2. These maps will assist users to find out where the most important carbon stores in soils in their areas. They are not suitable for field scale carbon mitigation as this would require field scale carbon assessment. It is often the case that where we have lower below ground carbon (mineral soils) the conditions are great for better tree and vegetation growth to get greater above ground carbon storage. Where below ground carbon storage is greater this is due to wetter conditions and soil waterlogging reducing organic matter decomposition. This leads to poorer growing conditions that result in lower above ground carbon storage. The addition of the above and below ground carbon layers seems to mean that carbon data is more homogenised and has much less carbon variation within areas. Although Total Carbon Storage is useful the data user will also need to refer back to input data to understand why the results occur across the landscape area.

Total Carbon Storage adds the two carbon storage layers together. As the above & below ground carbon storage layers indicate the range of carbon storage values in tonnes of carbon per hectare (t C Ha-1 ). At a local scale (e.g. 1:50 000). They are presented as a series of raster datasets for use in GIS Systems at a resolution of 25m2. Each 25m2 has a carbon total form the layers and these are added together spatially to create the total carbon layer in tonnes of carbon per hectare (t C Ha-1 ) NE PHI/ Ancient Woodland - OGL NE Living England - OGL NE Peat Map [2008] - Non- commercial licence NFI-National Forest Inventory (NFI) Forest Research- OGL Soilscapes - Cranfield University- NE Bespoke Licence SRTM- NASA Shuttle Radar Topography- Open Topography

Spatial datasets consider the lands contribution to preventing and mitigating climate change, through storage of carbon in the Soils (below ground). This below Ground Carbon spatial datasets represent a strategic resource for England, that indicate the range of carbon storage values in tonnes of carbon per hectare (t C Ha-1 ). At a local scale (e.g. 1:50 000). They are presented as a series of raster datasets for use in GIS Systems at a resolution of 25m2. These maps will assist users to find out where the most important carbon stores in soils in their areas. They are not suitable for field scale carbon mitigation as this would require field scale carbon assessment. As well as soil being an excellent natural carbon sink, locking carbon away from the atmosphere and reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses produced soil carbon has a number of other excellent benefits. The amount of carbon stored within mineral soil depends upon the soil type, with clay rich and silt rich soils storing more carbon than sandy soils. Within peat soils, carbon storage operates by a different process. In a non-compromised or fully functional state peat soils are fully saturated with water for most of the year. This leads to the minimal decomposition of plant biomass, so soil carbon builds up faster than decomposition can occur, so no equilibrium is reached, to form a very carbon-rich layer of peat. However, if the peats are damaged so leading to drying out the soil microbial activity can re-start, and as the carbon is utilised by the soil microfauna, carbon dioxide and methane are then released to the atmosphere, changing a carbon sink that is sequestering carbon, into a source of greenhouse gas emissions. (UK Peatland Strategy 2018) . Natural England produced a report in 2021 reviewing this research and compiling different land use. approximate values in tons per hectare of carbon for a wide variety of habitats in England (Gregg et al 2021) see Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Habitat 2021 (NERR094).

Framework created from Soilscapes and NE Natural England Peat Map (Natural England 2008).Soilscapes- 1:250,000 scale soils dataset. [https://www.landis.org.uk/soilsguide/soilscapes_list.cfm ]. the 27 soils carbon figure was assigned. This data was split in 2; Mineral Soils; Organo mineral & Peat Soils. Mineral soil split by habitats. modified by: PHI habitat overlying the soil (more natural / semi-natural the higher the score) with 50% overlap = 30% uplift carbon; the Ancient Woodland (NE 2019) with 50% overlap add 30% uplift in carbon. Organo Mineral & Peat soils: NE Peat Map (2008) was used to describe the shallow and deep peat soils, inc. peaty pockets. then conflated with the Soilscape for organo -mineral soils and peat soils with the NE peat map having priority. Modifiers were used & included: Indications that the habitats might be in good ecological condition, the PHI and the SSSI was used as a proxy. If no PHI overlap a 10% reduction; If the habitat overlying the soil is Fen = 2 x carbon figure. If the habitat overlying the soil is Raised Bog = 2.5 x carbon figure; Arable = reduced carbon lost from peat soils under. The Mineral and Organo mineral & Peat Soils re-joined to single England layer. Then Soil depth & Slope adjustment. Soil depth important to carbon stored. Most carbon in the topsoil, lesser amount of carbon held deep in soil profiles. Put into the model each soil type was allocated to one of four depth classes: Shallow soils with a profile likely to be 15-50 cm or less; The models assumed a 30 cm depth for carbon calculations; Normal depth mineral soils with a profile between 1 m and 1.25 m. The models assumed a 1 m depth for carbon calculations. Blanket peat soils. The models assumed a 2 m depth for carbon calculations. Raised bog and fen peat soils. Model assumed 4 m depth for carbon calculations. Slope, habitats occurring on steep slopes have thinner soil. A value of over 18o was used to show as a proxy for thinner soils. Slope occurring on; on slopes between 0-11o = 0%; on slopes between 11o - 18o = -10%; on slopes over 18o = -20%. NE PHI/ Ancient Woodland - OGL NE Living England - OGL NE Peat Map [2008] - Non- commercial licence Soilscapes - Cranfield University- NE Bespoke Licence SRTM- NASA Shuttle Radar Topography- Open Topography