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UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats: Combined Map v2025.1 2025

Abstract

The UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats (UKASH) Combined Map is the most comprehensive full coverage (except in the intertidal zone, where UKSeaMap is not available to fill the gaps) map of seabed habitats in the UK. It combines the Mosaic of Localised Maps with the UKSeaMap Predictive Map. Source maps vary in terms of spatial and thematic detail. Where the source is UKSeaMap, the spatial and thematic detail is typically low.

Its main strength is that it lets us calculate the total area of broad-scale habitats within UK waters and/or regional seas, using the best-available data. This is particularly useful for assessments of the adequacy of the UK marine protected area network. For other purposes, it should be used with caution and understanding of its limitations caused by the varying quality of the source maps. Please see the data inventory included in the download package for more information.

A method report will be provided in due course.

The Combined Map forms part of the UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats (UKASH), a suite of mapping products, offering the most complete characterisation of seabed habitats in the UK in the Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland and the European standard classification system, EUNIS. UKASH is composed of:

  • UKASH Library of Localised Maps: A standardised collection of individual, ground-truthed habitat maps from various sources.
  • UKASH Mosaic of Localised Maps: A unified, non-overlapping map product that prioritises the most reliable maps from the UKASH Library of Localised Maps.
  • UKSeaMap Predictive Map: A seamless, full-coverage predictive map of physical seabed habitats in the UK.
  • UKASH Combined Map: The UKASH Mosaic of Localised Maps, with gaps filled by the UKSeaMap Predictive Map.

Resource type Dataset

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2025·04·11

Citation
© JNCC and other data providers as set out in the data inventory. Copyright and database right 2025. Contains data derived from the DEFRA Marine DEM (one arc second) © British Crown Copyright, 2025. All rights reserved. Permission Number: Defra012017.002. This product has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK Hydrographic Office with the permission of the UK Hydrographic Office, The Keeper of Public Records. NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.

Lineage
11/04/2025 - version 2025.1. The UKASH Combined Map is the combination of two other data products: * UKASH Mosaic of Localised Maps v2025.1 a single, non-overlapping map product for the UK seabed, including the intertidal zone, but only where localised habitat maps exist. For further information please see: https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/eed85088-19a2-48af-843b-ca4f8bd12e36 * UKSeaMap Predictive Map v2025.1 - UKSeaMap is a broad-scale prediction that uses physical models of depth, light, sediment and energy to predict the physical seabed habitats for the whole UK seabed, excluding the intertidal zone. For further information please see: https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/202874e5-0446-4ba7-8323-24462077561e Work was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the marine arm of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme: NC42: mNCEA for GES 2022/03/25 - version 10: Update to integrate a new offshore survey data and a new version of the Natural England Evidence Base in English inshore waters. 2021/06/10: Update to replace UKSeaMap 2018 with EUSeaMap 2021 and integrate a new version of the Natural England Evidence Base in English inshore waters. 2019/09/23 - version 9_6_6

Responsible organisation
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC resourceProvider

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Attribution statement: © JNCC and other data providers as set out in the data inventory. Copyright and database right 2025. Contains data derived from the DEFRA Marine DEM (one arc second) © British Crown Copyright, 2025. All rights reserved. Permission Number: Defra012017.002. This product has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK Hydrographic Office with the permission of the UK Hydrographic Office, The Keeper of Public Records. NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.

Metadata date 2025·04·25

Metadata point of contact
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC

Temporal extent 1968·01·01 2025·04·10

Spatial extent
North 63.886944
South 47.4354
East 3.39855
West -25.134449
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