The National scale land capability for agriculture spatial dataset provides information on the types of crops that may be grown in different areas dependent on environmental and soil characteristics. This map covers the entire country and it can be used to determine the areas most suited to growing crops or grazing livestock.

The digital dataset contains information on the 'class' of soil. Soil classes range from Class 1 (land capable of producing a wide range of crops) to Class 7 (land of very little agricultural value). Land within Class 3 is subdivided to provide further information on potential yields; Classes 4 and 5 are further divided to provide information on grasslands; Class 6 is divided on the quality of the natural vegetation for grazing. Classes 1 to 3.1 are known as prime agricultural land.

The Land Capability for Agriculture assessment was carried out in 1981 using data collected between 1978 and 1981. The National scale land capability for agriculture map was then created in 1983 at a scale of 1:250 000. The map should be cited as: 'Soil Survey of Scotland Staff (1981). Land Capability for Agriculture maps of Scotland at a scale of 1:250 000. Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen.10.5281/zenodo.6322683'.

There is an accompanying booklet that describes the classification in more detail and set out the rules and guidelines to be used. This booklet should be referenced as: Bibby, J.S., Douglas, H.A., Thomasson, A.J. and Robertson, J.S. (1991) Land capability classification for agriculture. Soil Survey of Scotland Monograph. The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research. Aberdeen. ISBN -0-7084-0508-8.

The spatial dataset is provided under the James Hutton Institute open data licence included within the zipped dataset.

The maintenance of this dataset is funded by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government. The data can also be downloaded from or viewed at https://www.hutton.ac.uk/soil-maps/ or viewed at https://soils.environment.gov.scot.

THE CLASSES
Class 1. Land capable of producing a very wide range of crops with high yields
Class 2. Land capable of producing a wide range of crops with yields less high than Class 1.
Class 3. Land capable of producing good yields from a moderate range of crops.
Class 4. Land capable of producing a narrow range of crops.
Class 5. Land suited only to improved grassland and rough grazing.
Class 6. Land capable only of use as rough grazing.
Class 7. Land of very limited agricultural value.

This dataset has been clipped to Stirling Council's Planning Policy BoundaryThe Scottish Government (SG) Urban Rural Classification provides a consistent way of defining urban and rural areas across Scotland. The classification aids policy development and the understanding of issues facing urban, rural and remote communities. It is based upon two main criteria: (i) population as defined by National Records of Scotland (NRS), and (ii) accessibility based on drive time analysis to differentiate between accessible and remote areas in Scotland. The classification can be analysed in a two, three, six or eight fold form. The two-fold classification simply distinguishes between urban and rural areas through two categories, urban and rural, while the three-fold classification splits the rural category between accessible and remote. Most commonly used is the 6-fold classification which distinguishes between urban, rural, and remote areas through six categories. The 8-fold classification further distinguishes between remote and very remote regions. The Classification is normally updated on a biennial basis, with the current dataset reflective of the year 2022.

The Land capability for agriculture (partial cover) spatial dataset provides information on the types of crops that may be grown in different areas dependent on environmental and soil characteristics. This map covers much of the productive agricultural land in Scotland and it can be used to determine the areas most suited to growing crops or grazing livestock.

The Land capability for agriculture map (partial cover) was originally mapped at 1:50 000 scale by field survey and was subsequently digitised. It shows the distribution of the different land classes across virtually all of Scotland’s cultivated agricultural land and adjacent uplands. The map should be cited as: 'Soil Survey of Scotland Staff (1984-87). Land Capability for Agriculture maps of Scotland at a scale of 1:50 000. Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen. 10.5281/zenodo.6322760'.

The digital dataset contains information on the 'class' of soil. Soil classes range from Class 1 (land capable of producing a wide range of crops) to Class 7 (land of very little agricultural value). Land within Class 3 is subdivided to provide further information on potential yields; Classes 4 and 5 are further divided to provide information on grasslands; Class 6 is divided on the quality of the natural vegetation for grazing. Classes 1 to 3.1 are known as prime agricultural land.

There is an accompanying booklet that describes the classification in more detail and set out the rules and guidelines to be used. This booklet should be referenced as: Bibby, J.S., Douglas, H.A., Thomasson, A.J. and Robertson, J.S. (1991) Land capability classification for agriculture. Soil Survey of Scotland Monograph. The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research. Aberdeen. ISBN -0-7084-0508-8.

The spatial dataset is provided under the James Hutton Institute open data licence included within the zipped dataset.

The maintenance of this dataset is funded by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government. The data can also be downloaded from or viewed at https://www.hutton.ac.uk/learning/natural-resource-datasets/soilshutton/soils-maps-scotland/download or viewed at https://soils.environment.gov.scot.

THE CLASSES Class 1. Land capable of producing a very wide range of crops with high yields Class 2. Land capable of producing a wide range of crops with yields less high than Class 1. Class 3. Land capable of producing good yields from a moderate range of crops. Class 4. Land capable of producing a narrow range of crops. Class 5. Land suited only to improved grassland and rough grazing. Class 6. Land capable only of use as rough grazing. Class 7. Land of very limited agricultural value.

In order to be considered for SRDP grant support the overall suitability for your chosen species must be either 'very suitable' or 'suitable'. As an initial first step in determining suitability, the polygons in this dataset represent the climatic suitability of the chosen tree species to the site.

Woodland Creation forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). The SRDP delivers Pillar 2 of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Utilising some £1,326m of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding, plus Scottish Government match funding, it funds economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland. The SRDP is co-funded by the European Commission and the Scottish Government and reflects the 6 EU Rural Development Priorities. The programme also reflects the Scottish Government National Policy Framework (NPF).

The aim of the Forestry Grant Scheme woodland creation category is to support the creation of new woodlands that will provide a range of economic, environmental and social benefits which include:

delivery of the Scottish Government target to extend woodland cover by an additional 100,000 hectares over the period of 2012-2022climate change mitigation by tackling greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration restoration of lost habitats through developing forest habitat networksunderpinning a sustainable forest industry by providing a reliable timber supplyprotecting the soil and water environmentproviding community benefits through public accessenhancing urban areas and improving landscapessupporting rural development through local businesses and farm diversification

A fundamental consideration when creating new woodland is whether or not the tree species is appropriate to the site. You should carry out an appropriate site based assessment of soil and vegetation to match species choice with the particular site. Forestry Research’s 'Ecological Site Classification' (ESC) decision support system helps guide forest managers and planners to select ecologically suited species to sites. ESC considers: windiness; temperature; moisture; continentality; soil moisture and soil nutrients. This helps to determine suitability of the chosen species to the site and identifies it as: poor; marginal; suitable or very suitable.

In order to be considered for SRDP grant support the overall suitability for your chosen species must be either 'very suitable' or 'suitable'.

As an initial first step in determining suitability, the polygons in this dataset represent the climatic suitability of the chosen tree species to the site. Climatic suitability, based on ESC uses the following climatic site factors:

Accumulated temperatureMoisture deficit Exposure (Detailed Aspect Method Scoring [DAMS])Continentality

NOTE: This datasets does NOT take into account any soils information.

Any application that is identified on the map as being either 'unsuitable' or 'marginal' may still be considered - but only if you clearly demonstrate that the site is 'suitable' for the chosen species of tree (for example where there is localised shelter in an otherwise exposed location).

The woodland creation category has nine options and the associated aims are:

Conifer

To create conifer woodlands on land that is suitable for timber production and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). This option is principally aimed at planting Sitka spruce.

Diverse Conifer

To create conifer woodlands on land that is suitable for timber production and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads). This option is aimed at planting conifer species other than Sitka spruce.

Broadleaves

To create broadleaved woodlands on land that is suitable for sawn and prime timber and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads).

Native Scots Pine

To create or expand native pinewood priority habitat (NVC) W18

Native Upland Birch

The creation of native upland birch woodland of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) W4: Downy Birch with Purple Moor Grass on shallow peaty soils.

Native Broadleaves

To create native broadleaved priority woodland habitats of the following National Vegetation Classification (NVC) types:

W6 Alder with Stinging Nettle

W7 Alder-Ash with Yellow Pimpernel

W8 Ash, Field maple with Stinging Nettle

W9 Ash, Rowan with Dogs Mercury

W10 Oak (penduculate) with Bluebell Hyacinth

W11 Oak (sessile), Downy Birch with Bluebell/wild Hyacinth

W16 Oak, Birch

W17 Oak (sessile), Downy Birch with Bilberry/Blaeberry

Native Low Density Broadleaves

To create specific native woodland or scrub habitats; including areas of ecotones for black grouse, treeline woodlands, juniper and other forms of scrub woodland and wood pasture systems. Normally associated with other woodland habitats in a transitional situation (eg. transition onto open hill: Black Grouse; Montane Scrub).

Small or Farm Woodland

To create small scale mixed broadleaved and conifer woodlands on farms and other rural land.

Native Broadleaves in Northern & Western Isles

To create native woodlands that contributes to the Orkney, Shetland or Western Isles woodland strategies.

DATASET ATTRIBUTES:

• Suitability - ie. 'Very Suitable', 'Suitable', 'Marginal', 'Unsuitable' or 'Inland Water'For more detailed information please see the metadata record on Scotland's SpatialData.gov.scot Metadata Portal.

Core Paths maps for the Scottish Borders Council area have been produced to meet the requirements of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The Plan was adopted by the Council on 8th December 2009. Core paths form the basic framework of countryside paths, some on roads, linking with the wider paths network and other access provision. The core paths network as a whole should provide access opportunities for the full range of access takers, including walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, of varying abilities. Some core paths will be on surfaced paths suitable for all abilities use. In this rural area other core paths include some narrow riverside paths, rough tracks, grass paths or routes across open land woodland, forests and farmland.

This set of datasets contains a land use change scenario (2050) for Scotland within the scope of a SSP1 - Low emissions scenario (Shared Socio-Economic Pathways). For achieving a low-emission scenario, simulated land use change targeted woodland expansion (including silvo-arable and silvo-pastoral) and decreased grazing intensity, both land use changes also aimed at benefitting four aspects of ecosystem services: carbon storage through tree planting, emission reduction through deintensification, biodiversity enhancement through tree planting, and pollination to support food production.

The baseline dataset is based on the Land Cover Map 2019 (Morton et al, 2020) aggregated at 100m resolution. Grazing intensity was added to it by using estimations of stocking rates from IACS (Wardell-Johnson, 2022), and grazing conservation thresholds (Chapman, 2007; FAS, 2021). From the baseline dataset, the land use scenario map was created using the SLM-OptionsTool, a land use change tool for Ecosystem Services based on the LandSFACTS model (Castellazzi et al, 2010). The attached land use scenario map for 2050 is not an optimised result, but it is only one possibility that meets all the constraints stipulated for the scenario.

For a detailed description of the scenario refer to the following web storymap : https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c3d3feff85f14460b6c973127089d6f9

This analysis was conducted as part of the Land use Transformations (https://landusetransformations.hutton.ac.uk/) project (JHI-C3-1) in the Scottish Government funded Strategic Research Programme 2022-27.

This version of the datasets only includes 100m cells with land use change (14% of Scotland). The full dataset has a non-commercial version of the licence (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10927157).

Datasets accessible here : SSP1-Low Emission Land Use Scenarios - land use change - Dataset - Natural Asset Register Data Portal (hutton.ac.uk)

License: CC-BY-4.0 namely “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International“ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Copyright to display of the datasets: “Contains Data owned by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology © Database Right/Copyright UKCEH. Based on Data from LPIS and JAC (Scottish Government, 2019).”

2 Main files :

SSP1LEonLCM19_LUC_2019.tif : original land uses (2019) on which the scenario is based on. This land use map, of a resolution of 100m, is based on the Land Cover Map 2019 (Morton et al, 2020), estimations of stocking rates from IACS (Wardell-Johnson, 2022), and grazing conservation thresholds (Chapman, 2007; FAS, 2021). This version of the datasets only includes 100m cells with land use change (14% of Scotland).Contributions to the baseline dataset (SSP1LEonLCM19_LUC_2019.tif) :

100% of 100m cells: Land Cover Map 2019 (Morton et al, 2020)

93.88% of 100m cells: the LCM 2019 was subdivided by grazing intensity using estimations of stocking rates from IACS (Wardell-Johnson, 2022), and grazing conservation thresholds (Chapman, 2007; FAS, 2021). This impacts the grasslands, heathers, bogs and arable classes.

Estimated overall contributions: 65% UKCEH, 35% JHI

SSP1LEonLCM19_LUC_2050.tif : land use scenario (2050), which is within the scope of a SSP1 - Low emissions scenario (Shared Scocio-Economic Pathways). The scenario was created using the SLM-OptionsTool, a land use change tool for Ecosystem Services based on the LandSFACTS model (Castellazzi et al, 2010). For a detailed description of the scenario refer to the following web storymap : https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c3d3feff85f14460b6c973127089d6f9. This version of the datasets only includes 100m cells with land use change (14% of Scotland).Contributions to the scenario dataset (SSP1LEonLCM19_LUC_2050.tif) :

cf. contribution to the baseline (above)

100% of 100m cells: modelled land use change

Estimated overall contributions: 50% UKCEH, 50% JHI

Main references:

Morton, R. D., Marston, C. G., O’Neil, A. W., & Rowland, C. S. (2020). Land Cover Map 2019 (25m rasterised land parcels, GB) [Data set]. NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/F15289DA-6424-4A5E-BD92-48C4D9C830CC

Wardell-Johnson, D. (2022) Stocking rates derived from IACS 2019 version 4. Based on data from Land Parcel Information System (2019) courtesy of Rural Payments and Inspections Division, Scottish Government.Based on data from the June Agricultural Census (2019) courtesy of Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services, Agricultural Statistics team, Scottish Government.

Chapman, P. (2007) Conservation Grazing of Semi-natural Habitats. Technical note TN586. SAC tn586-conservation.pdf (sruc.ac.uk)

FAS (2021) Practical Guide: Managing Peatlands and Upland Habitats. https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/protecting-scotlands-peatlands/practical-guide-managing-peatlands-and-upland-habitats/ (author: Paul Chapman)

Castellazzi, M.S.; Gimona, A. (2021) SLM-OptionsTool, a land use change tool for Ecosystem Services (arcgis toolbox and user manual included, part of RESAS Deliverable-O1.4.2ciiD27).

Castellazzi, M.S., Matthews, J., Angevin, F., Sausse, C., Wood, G.A., Burgess, P.J., Brown I., Conrad, K.F., Perry J.N. (2010). Simulation scenarios of spatio-temporal arrangement of crops at the landscape scale . Environmental Modelling and Software 25, 1881-1889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2010.04.006

https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/departments/information-and-computational-sciences/tools/landsfacts

This is the digital dataset which was created by digitising the Soils of Scotland 1:25,000 Soil maps and the Soils of Scotland 1:25,000 Dyeline Masters. The Soils of Scotland 1:25,000 Soil maps were the source documents for the production of the Soils of Scotland 1:63,360 and 1:50,000 published map series. Where no 1:25,000 published maps exist 1:63,360 maps have been digitised for this data set, the field SOURCE_MAP describes the source of the data. The classification is based on Soil Associations, Soil Series and Phases which reflect parent material, major soil group, and soil sub-groups, drainage and (for phases), texture, stoniness, land use, rockiness, topography and organic matter. Phases are not always mapped. In general terms this dataset primarily covers the cultivated land of Scotland but also includes some upland areas. This data set is undergoing a phased revision, the latest (phase 8) was released in August 2021. The digitising of the recently added data was funded by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government. The data can also be downloaded from or viewed at https://www.hutton.ac.uk/soil-maps/ or viewed at Scotland's Soils - soil maps (environment.gov.scot). This map should be cited as: 'Soil Survey of Scotland Staff (1970-1987). Soil maps of Scotland (partial coverage) at a scale of 1:25 000. Digital phase 8 release. James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.5159133.

The Land Capability Classification for Forestry is based on an assessment of the increasing degree of limitation imposed by the physical factors of soil, topography and climate on the growth of trees and on silvicultural practices. The system described is designed for use at several levels depending on the amount and accuracy of the available data and on the purpose for which the information is required. The main use of the Land Capability Classification for Forestry is as an aid to decision-making at broad planning levels, as a guide for land managers and as a statement of the natural resources of the land of Britain in terms of forestry potential for educational and general interest purposes. The system is an interpretation derived from several sources and, as with all such approaches, will be subject to some degree of arbitrary decision.

The digital dataset contains information on the 'class' of soil. Classes range from F1 (land offering excellent flexibility for growth and management) to F7 (land unsuitable for producing trees) with seven types of limitations, these being climate, wind throw, nutrients, topography, droughtiness, wetness and soil.

The map was based on a reclassification of the 580 soil map units of the National soil map of Scotland with limited field validation. A set of rules were applied to each of the soil map units combined with information on climate and relief to assign the map units to a capability class for forestry.

The dataset should be cited as Soil Survey of Scotland Staff. (1988). Land Capability for Forestry of Scotland at a Scale of 1:250 000. Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen. 10.5281/zenodo.6322608.

There is an accompanying handbook which describes the classification system in detail (Bibby, J.S., Heslop, R.E.F. and Hartnup, R. 1988. Land Capability Classification for Forestry in Britain. The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen. ISBN-0-7084-0467-7.

The maintenance of this dataset is funded by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government. The data can also be downloaded from or viewed at https://www.hutton.ac.uk/soil-maps/ or viewed at https://soils.environment.gov.scot.

Class F1. Land with excellent flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops
Class F2. Land with very good flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops
Class F3. Land with good flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops
Class F4. Land with moderate flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops
Class F5. Land with limited flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops
Class F6. Land with very limited flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops
Class F7. Land unsuitable for producing tree crops

This is the digital dataset which was created by digitising the Soils of Scotland 1:25,000 Soil maps and the Soils of Scotland 1:25,000 Dyeline Masters. The Soils of Scotland 1:25,000 Soil maps were the source documents for the production of the Soils of Scotland 1:63,360 and 1:50,000 published map series. Where no 1:25,000 published maps exist 1:63,360 maps have been digitised for this data set, the field SOURCE_MAP describes the source of the data. The mapping is based on Soil Associations, Soil Series and Phases which reflect parent material, major soil group, and soil sub-groups, drainage and (for soil phases), texture, stoniness, land use, rockiness, topography and organic matter. Phases are not always mapped. In general terms this dataset primarily covers the cultivated land of Scotland but also includes some upland areas. This data set is undergoing a phased revision, the latest (phase 8) was released in August 2021. The digitising of the recently added data was funded by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government. The data can also be downloaded from or viewed at https://www.hutton.ac.uk/soil-maps/ or viewed at Scotland's Soils - soil maps (environment.gov.scot). This map should be cited as: 'Soil Survey of Scotland Staff (1970-1987). Soil maps of Scotland (partial coverage). Digital phase 10 release. James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.6908156 .

Scottish local authorities usually divide towns and country areas into catchments and children living in a catchment area will usually go to the same local school. Domestic properties typically have a catchment area for each of their local: - primary non-denominational (PN), - secondary non-denominational (SN), - primary denominational / Catholic (PD) and - secondary denominational / Catholic (SD) schools. This dataset contains four separate layers (representing those above categories), which we deliver together as one single web service or zip folder. These data layers do not contain the catchment areas for Jordanhill primary and secondary school which is located in west Glasgow. This is because it is a Scottish Government-funded school.

The NFI woodland map covers all forest and woodland area over 0.5 hectare with a minimum of 20% canopy cover (or the potential to achieve it) and a minimum width of 20 metres, including areas of new planting, clearfell, windblow and restocked areas.

The woodland map excludes all 'tarmac' roads, rivers and powerlines where the gap in the woodland is greater than 20 meters wide.

The woodland map is continually updated on an annual basis. The changes in the canopy cover have been identified on remote sensing imagery taken during spring/summer 2017 or colour aerial orthophotographic imagery available at the time of the assessment. Additionally, new planting information from grant schemes and the FE sub-compartment database for the financial year 2017/2018 have been added to the woodland map.

The changes in the woodland boundaries use the Ordnance Survey MasterMap® (OSMM) as a reference where appropriated. OSMM is the most up to date large-scale digital map of GB providing a seamless database for 1:1250, 1:2500 and 1:10000 survey data.

All woodland (both urban and rural, regardless of ownership) which is 0.5 hectare or greater in extent, with the exception of Assumed woodland or Low density areas that can be 0.1 hectare or greater in extend. Woodland less than 0.5 hectare in extent will not be described within the dataset but will be included in a separate sample survey of small woodland and tree features.

Category

1. Woodland – areas greater than 0.5 hectares that represents the extent of mapped woodland
2. Non woodland – open areas greater than 0.5 hectares completely surrounded by woodland

IFT Woodland areas classification 1. Conifer - Coniferous woodland often occurs as large plantations with trees in regular rows and the stand edges may be regular and sharply defined. Some broadleaved trees may also be present but greater than 80% of the area will consist of conifers.

1.   Broadleaved - The canopy of broadleaved woodland is generally more uneven than that of coniferous woodland being made up of rounded crowns but with variations according to species, age, height, and season. Boundaries with adjacent internal polygons are generally less clearly defined than with conifers and naturally occurring stands may grade into adjacent ones with no sharp division. Some coniferous trees may be present but greater than 80% of the area will consist of broadleaved trees.
   

2.   Mixed Predominantly conifer - The interpretation of Mixed woodland can be very difficult as it exhibits intermediate characteristics between Conifer and Broadleaved woodland. There can be several types of mixed woodland. A plantation of alternate rows of conifer and broadleaves may produce a 'striped' appearance. You may see conifer and broadleaves planted in blocks, and there may be general intersperse woodland. The proportion of the Conifer will be more than 50% of the area and less than 80%.
   

3.   Mixed Predominantly broadleaved - The interpretation of Mixed woodland can be very difficult as it exhibits intermediate characteristics between Conifer and Broadleaved woodland. There can be several types of mixed woodland. A plantation of alternate rows of conifer and broadleaves may produce a 'striped' appearance. You may see conifer and broadleaves planted in blocks, and there may be general intersperse woodland. The proportion of the Broadleaves will be more than 50% of the area and less than 80%.
   

4.   Coppice - The most important characteristic of coppice areas on aerial photography is very even, smooth appearance. The coppice area may be made up of a patchwork of different ages (heights) but all show this very even character. Areas recently cut may appear to have a very clear floor with little felling debris.
   

5.   Coppice-with-Standards - Some areas of coppice also include larger broadleaved trees set in the coppice matrix. These broadleaved trees, often oak, are known as standards and show very clearly over the even coppice as large rounded crowns. The distribution of the standards may also be fairly scattered with approximately 25 per ha.
   

6.   Shrub - This category is intended to include areas that may possibly be woodland, where the growth is close to the ground and shows a rough character but no clear differentiation between Conifer and Broadleaved can yet be made. Areas being colonised by woody species may fall into this category. The cover will be at least 20%.
   

7.   Young Trees - Areas where planting is clearly visible but the trees cannot yet be allocated between Conifer and Broadleaved due to their immaturity. These areas can be on either land new to woodland or where a felled crop has been replaced.
   

8.   Felled - Areas of woodland where the trees have been harvested or felled. Stumps or felled trees may be visible and there may be long heaps of felling debris ('windrows'). Some standing trees within this limit may also be present but should be disregarded. The areas concerned may also have been re-stocked but the new trees are not yet visible.
   

9.  Ground Prepared for New Planting - Land in this category is area recently converted from some other land use to woodland and will show plough furrows or mounding but the new planting (if present) cannot yet be discerned
   

10.  Cloud or Shadow - If cloud or shadow areas obscure woodland detail and it is difficult to allocate one of the above IFTs, and then digitise a new boundary line feature around the area of uncertain forest type.
    

11.  Uncertain - Where the interpreter is uncertain of the IFT/IOA to be used X will be designated. The rate of use of this category should decline over time as operators become more proficient and better at recognising IFT/IOAs. As part of the QA procedures X's will be checked and operators found using this code frequently will be subject to more intensive QA procedures and possibly more training.
    

12.  Low density- This category intended to include areas that have less than 20% canopy cover that might have potential to achieve woodland in the future. These areas will be monitored in future updates and either updated to reflect forest type or removed from the dataset.
    

13.  Assumed woodland - The supplied grant scheme and FC new planting polygons have been attributed as 'assumed woodland' as these areas have not been checked against the latest images and will be monitored in future updates and either updated to reflect forest type or removed from the dataset.
    

14.  Failed - Areas that show evidence of ground prep over several years and still exhibit no evidence of tress, based on the latest available imagery.
    

15.  Windblow - Areas of woodland where the trees have been uprooting or broken by the wind and which remain uncleared and not regenerated based on the latest available imagery.
    

Non woodland areas classification 1. Open water - Normally labelled within OSMM, areas of even colour. 2. Grass - A predominantly grassy area - may be agricultural or not. 3. Agricultural land - May contain a cereal crop or pasture. 4. Urban/Building - Buildings within woodland areas, may include gardens surrounding the building. 5. Forest road, track - Linear feature, often fairly straight with gentle bends or turning circles. 6. River - Linear feature, depending on location can be fairly straight or meander through woodland. 7. Powerline - Possible shadow evidence of poles, pylons or even the cable/lines. 8. Quarry - Show change in vegetation to geology, sand, slate, rock etc. Active quarries could have buildings, heavy plant tracks leading into the quarry. 9. Bare - Bare ground/rock. 10. Windfarm - Possible shadow evidence of turbines, normally in groups. 11. Other vegetation - Not covered by the above, e.g. Gorse, Rhododendron, Bracken, Heather etc.

Notes: a. Species such as Gorse and Rhododendron are not regarded as woodland and have therefore been excluded. b. Orchards are not regarded as woodland but have been mapped for carbon accounting purposes. Details can be provided on request. c. Interpreted Forest Types are only used to classify polygons in the NFI digital woodland map. IFTs are useful when using the map without the sample data, and for smaller geographic areas where the sample data would be inappropriate. However, for larger geographic areas data on forest types collected in the field is considered to be more accurate, and hence is used for reporting purposes.

One of four component layer of the Scottish map of relative wildness. This layer shows perceived naturalness of the landscape. The dataset is on a scale of 1-256 indicating relative levels of naturalness. Consequently the data is best viewed at a national or regional scale. The methodology is adapted from the 2008 Wildness Study in the Cairngorms National Park. Each different land class is given a 'naturalness score' from 1 (low perceived naturalness) to 5 (high perceived naturalness). For example built up areas and gardens are scored 1, arable and horticultural land are scored 2, calcareous grassland scored 3, acid grass scored 4 and bog scored 5. A focal statistics window of 250m is passed over the dataset averaging the naturalness values to account for surrounding areas.

Many are also designated as Natura sites (Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation). The national network of SSSIs in Scotland forms part of the wider GB series. SNH designates SSSIs under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. SSSIs are protected by law. It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI. SSSIs were first designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The majority of these were later re-notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All 1981 Act SSSI designations are carried forward, and all new SSSI designations are now made, under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. Protection and management It is an offence for anyone to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI. Most SSSIs are in private ownership and we work closely with their owners and managers to ensure: appropriate management of a site’s natural features; that all decision-makers are aware of the designation when considering changes in land use or other activities that might affect an SSSI. NatureScot must provide each SSSI owner and occupier with a site management statement. This describes the interest of the site and explains the management needed to conserve its protected natural features. You can access site management statements for all SSSIs via SiteLink. Read our Sites of Special Scientific Interest booklet for owners and occupiers of SSSIs. Anyone who manages an SSSI may also be eligible for funding through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).Complete metadata on spatialdata.gov.scot