This is the land parcel (polygon) dataset for the UKCEH Land Cover Map of 2020 (LCM2020) representing Northern Ireland. It describes Northern Ireland's land cover in 2020 using UKCEH Land Cover Classes, which are based on UK Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. A range of land parcel attributes are provided. These include the dominant UKCEH Land Cover Class given as an integer value and a range of per-parcel pixel statistics to help assess classification confidence and accuracy; for a full explanation please refer to the dataset documentation accompanying this dataset. LCM2020 represents a suite of geospatial land cover datasets (raster and polygon) describing the UK land surface in 2020. These were produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2020. These are one of a series of UKCEH land cover maps, which began with the 1990 Land Cover Map of Great Britain (now usually referred to as LCM1990) followed by UK-wide land cover maps in 2000, 2007, 2015 and annually since 2017. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/36343ace-d56a-43ea-9d48-2f434dafcb26

Bedrock is the solid rock at or below the land surface. Over much of Ireland, the bedrock is covered by materials such as soil and gravel. The Bedrock map shows what the land surface of Ireland would be made up of if these materials were removed. As the bedrock is commonly covered, bedrock maps are an interpretation of the available data. Geologists map and record information on the composition and structure of rock outcrops (rock which can be seen on the land surface) and boreholes (a deep narrow round hole drilled in the ground). Areas are drawn on a map to show the distribution of rocks. To produce this dataset, the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) bedrock geology 1:500,000 and 1:100,000 maps were generalised. The Northern Irish data was generalised using the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) 1:250,000 bedrock geology map. The UK data was generalised using the British Geological Survey (BGS) 1:650,000 bedrock geology map. This map is to the scale 1:1,250,000. When printed at that scale 1cm on the map relates to a distance of 12.5km.The map is intended to be used as a teaching resource.

This dataset consists of the vector version of the Land Cover Map 2015 (LCM2015) for Northern Ireland. The vector data set is the core LCM data set from which the full range of other LCM2015 products is derived. It provides a number of attributes including land cover at the target class level (given as an integer value and also as text), the number of pixels within the polygon classified as each land cover type and a probability value provided by the classification algorithm (for full details see the LCM2015 Dataset Documentation). The 21 target classes are based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Broad Habitats, which encompass the entire range of UK habitats. LCM2015 is a land cover map of the UK which was produced at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2014 and 2015 into 21 Broad Habitat-based classes. LCM2015 consists of a range of raster and vector products and users should familiarise themselves with the full range (see related records, the CEH web site and the LCM2015 Dataset documentation) to select the product most suited to their needs. LCM2015 was produced at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2014 and 2015 into 21 Broad Habitat-based classes. It is one of a series of land cover maps, produced by UKCEH since 1990. They include versions in 1990, 2000, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/60764028-adeb-4316-987a-14b3b21a8f9a

The Land Cover Map 2024 (UK Land Cover Statistics) dataset summarises the coverage of different land cover types across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, classified into 21 UKCEH land cover classes, based upon Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. This data is provided in both .csv and geopackage (vector) formats. Statistics are calculated at country, county, and regional (England only) levels from the Land Cover Map 2024 (10 m classified pixels) datasets for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. A full description of this and all UKCEH LCM2024 products are available from the LCM2024 product documentation. In addition to UKCEH as copyright holders, the Land Cover Map 2024 (UK Land Cover Statistics) products use digital boundary products and reference maps. The source of the data is the Office for National Statistics and they are licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. They contain OS data © Crown copyright and database right [2024]. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/0171ccb2-1c0c-404f-b782-e7204a86a92f

This is the land parcels (polygon) dataset for the UKCEH Land Cover Map of 2017 (LCM2017) representing Northern Ireland. It describes Northern Ireland's land cover in 2017 using UKCEH Land Cover Classes, which are based on UK Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. This dataset was derived from the corresponding LCM2017 20m classified pixels dataset. All further LCM2017 datasets for Northern Ireland are derived from this land parcel product. A range of land parcel attributes are provided. These include the dominant UKCEH Land Cover Class given as an integer value, and a range of per-parcel pixel statistics to help to assess classification confidence and accuracy; for a full explanation please refer to the dataset documentation. LCM2017 represents a suite of geospatial land cover datasets (raster and polygon) describing the UK land surface in 2017. These were produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2017. LCM2017 was simultaneously released with LCM2018 and LCM2019. These are the latest in a series of UKCEH land cover maps, which began with the 1990 Land Cover Map of Great Britain (now usually referred to as LCM1990) followed by UK-wide land cover maps LCM2000, LCM2007 and LCM2015. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/efb98222-5b9a-4d56-990d-5ab85eaf187e

This is the land parcels (polygon) dataset for the UKCEH Land Cover Map of 2019 (LCM2019) representing Northern Ireland. It describes Northern Ireland's land cover in 2019 using UKCEH Land Cover Classes, which are based on UK Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. This dataset was derived from the corresponding LCM2019 20m classified pixels dataset. All further LCM2019 datasets for Northern Ireland are derived from this land parcel product. A range of land parcel attributes are provided. These include the dominant UKCEH Land Cover Class given as an integer value and a range of per-parcel pixel statistics to help assess classification confidence and accuracy; for a full explanation please refer to the dataset documentation. LCM2019 represents a suite of geospatial land cover datasets (raster and polygon) describing the UK land surface in 2019. These were produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2019. LCM2019 was simultaneously released with LCM2017 and LCM2018. These are the latest in a series of UKCEH land cover maps, which began with the 1990 Land Cover Map of Great Britain (now usually referred to as LCM1990) followed by UK-wide land cover maps LCM2000, LCM2007 and LCM2015. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.

The data shows superficial polygons, bedrock polygons and fault linear geological information, sourced from published Geological Survey of Northern Ireland 1:250 000 scale maps - superficial (Quaternary 1991) and bedrock (Solid 1997). Full Northern Ireland coverage is available (Bedrock extends west into RI). The data is available in vector format. BGS licensing terms and conditions apply to external use of the data. New version available: 1:250K Geological Maps of Northern Ireland version 2

The 1:250k Geological Maps of Northern Ireland comprise the Superficial Deposits Map (Drift, 1991) and the Bedrock Map (Solid Geology, 1997). These maps identify landscape areas based on their lithology. The scale of the maps is 1:250 000 and provides a simplified interpretation of the geology that may be used as a guide at a regional level, but should not be relied on for local geology. Superficial deposits are younger geological deposits formed during the most recent geological time; the Quaternary. These deposits rest on older rocks or deposits referred to as bedrock. The superficial deposits theme defines landscape areas with a geological name and their deposit-type or lithological composition. The Superficial map shows the deposits within the extent of the six Counties of Northern Ireland. The Bedrock map comprises the bedrock geology and contains dykes and geological faults. Bedrock geology describes the main mass of solid rocks forming the earth's crust. Bedrock is present everywhere, whether exposed at surface in outcrops or concealed beneath superficial deposits or water bodies. Geological names are based on the lithostratigraphic or lithodemic hierarchy of the rocks. The lithostratigraphic scheme arranges rock bodies into units based on rock-type and geological time of formation. Where rock-types do not fit into the lithostratigraphic scheme, for example intrusive, deformed rocks subjected to heat and pressure resulting in new or changed rock types; then their classification is based on their rock-type or lithological composition. This assesses visible features such as texture, structure, mineralogy. Dykes defines small, narrow areas of a specific type of bedrock geology; that is igneous rocks which have been intruded into the landscape at a later date than the surrounding bedrock. Geological faults occur where a body of bedrock has been fractured and displaced by large scale processes affecting the earth's crust (tectonic forces). The Bedrock map shows the main bedrock geological divisions in Northern Ireland and coverage extends to the west into the Republic of Ireland. The printed map includes a stratigraphic column. Digital datasets have been derived from the maps and comprise three layers. 1. Superficial polygons, 2. Bedrock polygons and 3. Linear features. Attribute tables describe the polygon features. These data are generalised and superseded by the 1:10k Geological Maps of Northern Ireland.

The 1885 UK parliamentary constituencies for Ireland were re-created in 2017 as part of a conference paper delivered at the Southern Irish Loyalism in Context conference at Maynooth University. The intial map only included the territory of the Irish Free State and was created by Martin Charlton and Jack Kavanagh. The remaining six counties of Ulster were completed by Eoin McLaughlin in 2018-19, the combined result is a GIS map of all the parliamentary constituecies across the island of Ireland for the period 1885-1918. The map is available in both ESRI Shapefile format and as a GeoPackage (GPKG). The methodology for creating the constituencies is outlined in detail below.

Methodology

A map showing the outlines of the 1855 – 1918 Constituency boundaries can be found on page 401 of Parliamentary Elections in Ireland, 1801-1922 (Dublin, 1978) by Brian Walker. This forms the basis for the creation of a set of digital boundaries which can then be used in a GIS. The general workflow involves allocating an 1885 Constituency identifier to each of the 309 Electoral Divisions present in the boundaries made available for the 2011 Census of Population data release by CSO. The ED boundaries are available in ‘shapefile’ format (a de facto standard for spatial data transfer). Once a Constituency identifier has been given to each ED, the GIS operation known as ‘dissolve’ is used to remove the boundaries between EDs in the same Constituency. To begin with Walker’s map was scanned at 1200 dots per inch in JPEG form. A scanned map cannot be linked to other spatial data without undergoing a process known as georeferencing. The CSO boundaries are available with spatial coordinates in the Irish National Grid system. The goal of georeferencing is to produce a rectified version of the map together with a world file. Rectification refers to the process of recomputing the pixel positions in the scanned map so that they are oriented with the ING coordinate system; the world file contains the extent in both the east-west and north-south directions of each pixel (in metres) and the coordinates of the most north-westerly pixel in the rectified image.

Georeferencing involves the identification of Ground Control Points – these are locations on the scanned map for which the spatial coordinates in ING are known. The Georeferencing option in ArcGIS 10.4 makes this a reasonably pain free task. For this map 36 GCPs were required for a local spline transformation. The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 provides the legal basis for the constituencies to be used for future elections in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Part III of the Seventh Schedule of the Act defines the Constituencies in terms of Baronies, Parishes (and part Parishes) and Townlands for Ireland. Part III of the Sixth Schedule provides definitions for the Boroughs of Belfast and Dublin.

The CSO boundary collection also includes a shapefile of Barony boundaries. This makes it possible code a barony in two ways: (i) allocated completely to a Division or (ii) split between two Divisions. For the first type, the code is just the division name, and for the second the code includes both (or more) division names. Allocation of these names to the data in the ED shapefile is accomplished by a spatial join operation. Recoding the areas in the split Baronies is done interactively using the GIS software’s editing option. EDs or groups of EDs can be selected on the screen, and the correct Division code updated in the attribute table. There are a handful of cases where an ED is split between divisions, so a simple ‘majority’ rule was used for the allocation. As the maps are to be used at mainly for displaying data at the national level, a misallocation is unlikely to be noticed. The final set of boundaries was created using the dissolve operation mentioned earlier. There were a dozen ED that had initially escaped being allocated a code, but these were quickly updated. Similarly, a few of the EDs in the split divisions had been overlooked; again updating was painless. This meant that the dissolve had to be run a few more times before all the errors have been corrected.

For the Northern Ireland districts, a slightly different methodology was deployed which involved linking parishes and townlands along side baronies, using open data sources from the OSM Townlands.ie project and OpenData NI.

This is the 20m classified pixels dataset for the UKCEH Land Cover Map of 2019(LCM2019) representing Northern Ireland. It describes Northern Ireland's land cover in 2019 using UKCEH Land Cover Classes, which are based on UK Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. This dataset is the Random Forest classification result from classifying a 20m pixel raster containing multi-season spectral information combined with context layers, which help to resolve spectral confusion. It is provided as a 2-band, 8-bit integer raster. The band-1 is the UKCEH Land Cover Class identifier, band-2 is an indicator of classification confidence. For a fuller description please refer to the product documentation. LCM2019 represents a suite of geospatial land cover datasets (raster and polygon) describing the UK land surface in 2019. These were produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2019. LCM2019 was simultaneously released with LCM2017 and LCM2018. These are the latest in a series of UKCEH land cover maps, which began with the 1990 Land Cover Map of Northern Ireland (now usually referred to as LCM1990) followed by UK-wide land cover maps LCM2000, LCM2007 and LCM2015. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.

An Irish Language cultural map at 1:250,000 scale for Northern Ireland and surrounding areas with both Irish and English forms of place names. Please note this is not georeferenced. By download or use of this map you agree to abide by the Open Government Data Licence.

This is the land parcels (polygon) dataset for the UKCEH Land Cover Map of 2018(LCM2018) representing Northern Ireland. It describes Northern Ireland's land cover in 2018 using UKCEH Land Cover Classes, which are based on UK Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. This dataset was derived from the corresponding LCM2018 20m classified pixels dataset. All further LCM2018 datasets for Northern Ireland are derived from this land parcel product. A range of land parcel attributes are provided. These include the dominant UKCEH Land Cover Class given as an integer value, and a range of per-parcel pixel statistics to help to assess classification confidence and accuracy; for a full explanation please refer to the dataset documentation. LCM2018 represents a suite of geospatial land cover datasets (raster and polygon) describing the UK land surface in 2018. These were produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images from 2018. LCM2018 was simultaneously released with LCM2017 and LCM2019. These are the latest in a series of UKCEH land cover maps, which began with the 1990 Land Cover Map of Great Britain (now usually referred to as LCM1990) followed by UK-wide land cover maps LCM2000, LCM2007 and LCM2015. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/35f15502-d340-4ab5-a586-abd42f238b6e

This dataset consists of the vector version of the Land Cover Map 1990 (LCM1990) for Northern Ireland. The vector data set is the core LCM data set from which the full range of other LCM1990 products is derived. It provides a number of attributes including land cover at the target class level (given as an integer value and also as text), the number of pixels within the polygon classified as each land cover type and a probability value provided by the classification algorithm (for full details see the LCM1990 Dataset Documentation). The 21 target classes are based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Broad Habitats, which encompass the entire range of UK habitats. LCM1990 is a land cover map of the UK which was produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images (mainly from 1989 and 1990) into 21 Broad Habitat-based classes. It is the first in a series of land cover maps for the UK, which also includes maps for 2000, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. LCM1990 consists of a range of raster and vector products and users should familiarise themselves with the full range (see related records, the UK CEH web site and the LCM1990 Dataset documentation) to select the product most suited to their needs. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/d6a3588b-23a8-4715-88e9-e21ab0060727

This dataset consists of the 1km raster, dominant target class version of the Land Cover Map 1990 (LCM1990) for Northern Ireland. The 1km dominant coverage product is based on the 1km percentage product and reports the habitat class with the highest percentage cover for each 1km pixel. The 21 target classes are based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Broad Habitats, which encompass the entire range of UK habitats. This dataset is derived from the vector version of the Land Cover Map, which contains individual parcels of land cover and is the highest available spatial resolution. LCM1990 is a land cover map of the UK which was produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images (mainly from 1989 and 1990) into 21 Broad Habitat-based classes. It is the first in a series of land cover maps for the UK, which also includes maps for 2000, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. LCM1990 consists of a range of raster and vector products and users should familiarise themselves with the full range (see related records, the UKCEH web site and the LCM1990 Dataset documentation) to select the product most suited to their needs. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/d33593d7-5c4d-419e-924c-b341847fd6ae

LCM2007 is a parcel-based thematic classification of satellite image data covering the entire United Kingdom. The map updates and upgrades the Land Cover Map of Great Britain (LCMGB) 1990 and LCM2000. Like the earlier 1990 and 2000 products, LCM2007 is derived from a computer classification of satellite scenes obtained mainly from Landsat, IRS and SPOT sensors. It also covers Northern Ireland and incorporates information derived from other ancillary datasets. LCM2007 was classified using a nomenclature corresponding to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Broad Habitats, which encompasses the entire range of UK habitats. In addition, it recorded further detail where possible, incorporating land cover classes sought by other users. LCM2007 is produced in both vector and raster formats, with a number of different versions containing varying levels of detail and at different spatial resolutions. Dataset consists of vector version, with polygons as classified (Northern Ireland only).

This 1 km summary pixel data set represents the land surface of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, classified using two classification schemas, target and aggregate classes. The target class schema comprise 21 UKCEH land cover classes based upon Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. The aggregate class schema comprises 10 aggregate classes that are groupings of the 21 target classes. The aggregate classes group some of the more specialised target classes into more general classes. For example, the five coastal classes in the target class are grouped into a single aggregate class. The 1km percentage product provides the percentage cover for each of the 21 land cover classes for 1km x 1km pixels. This product contains one band per habitat class, producing 21 and 10 band images for the target and aggregate class products respectively. The 1km dominant coverage product is based on the 1km percentage product, and reports the land cover class with the highest percentage cover for each 1km pixel. A full description of this and all UKCEH LCM2023 products are available from the LCM2023 product documentation accompanying this dataset. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/96bc980a-31b4-4d1b-87e9-007d4932a56b

This dataset consists of the 1km raster, percentage aggregate class version of the Land Cover Map 1990 (LCM1990) for Northern Ireland. The 1km percentage product provides the percentage cover for each of 10 aggregated land cover classes for 1km x 1km pixels. This product contains one band per aggregated habitat class (producing a 10 band image). The 10 aggregate classes are groupings of the 21 target classes, which are based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Broad Habitats, which encompass the entire range of UK habitats. The aggregate classes group some of the more specialised classes into more general categories. For example, the five coastal classes in the target class are grouped into a single aggregate coastal class. This dataset is derived from the vector version of the Land Cover Map, which contains individual parcels of land cover and is the highest available spatial resolution. LCM1990 is a land cover map of the UK which was produced at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology by classifying satellite images (mainly from 1989 and 1990) into 21 Broad Habitat-based classes. It is the first in a series of land cover maps for the UK, which also includes maps for 2000, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. LCM1990 consists of a range of raster and vector products and users should familiarise themselves with the full range (see related records, the UK CEH web site and the LCM1990 Dataset documentation) to select the product most suited to their needs. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/1278d7b5-da47-46b5-b1a6-049e726425a7

This layer of the map based index (GeoIndex) shows the availability of 1:50000 series paper geological maps. For England and Wales (and Northern Ireland), map sheets normally cover an area 30 km east-west and 20 km north-south; in Scotland the coverage is 20 km east-west and 30 km north-south. The 1:50 000 geological map grids are based on an early Ordnance Survey 1:63 360 (one inch to one mile) scale map grid and are not related to the current Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 map sheets. Maps are normally available in both flat and folded formats.

This is a 10m pixel data set representing the land surface of Northern Ireland, classified into 21 UKCEH land cover classes, based upon Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. It is a two-band raster in GeoTiff format. The first band gives the most likely land cover type; the second band gives the per-parcel probability of the land cover. A full description of this and all UKCEH LCM2023 products are available from the LCM2023 product documentation. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/17223091-ca33-41f8-bd5b-bdd2a222cdae

This is the web map service (WMS) for the 25m rasterised land parcels dataset of the UKCEH Land Cover Map of 2019 (LCM2019). It describes Great Britain and Northern Ireland land cover in 2019 using UKCEH Land Cover Classes, which are based on UK Biodiversity Action Plan broad habitats. The data was derived by rasterising the corresponding LCM2019 land parcels datasets into 25m pixels.This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.Publication date: 2020-12-10https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/documents/4f88a4f0-3bbc-4735-b078-11919d1865e0Morton, R. D.; Marston, C. G.; O’Neil, A. W.; Rowland, C. S. (2020). Land Cover Map 2019 (25m rasterised land parcels, N. Ireland). NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/2f711e25-8043-4a12-ab66-a52d4e649532Morton, R. D.; Marston, C. G.; O’Neil, A. W.; Rowland, C. S. (2020). Land Cover Map 2019 (25m rasterised land parcels, GB). NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/f15289da-6424-4a5e-bd92-48c4d9c830cc