Planning and Management Case Studies

MPA Data Layers

An integrated team of ABPmer environmental, geomorphology and data specialists has been commissioned by Defra to prepare UK-wide biological and physical data-layers that will ultimately inform the UK Marine Protected Area planning process.

Using methodology developed by ABPmer through the Marine Spatial Planning Irish Sea Pilot Project (http://www.abpmer.net/mspp/), the project is in the process of developing a number of digital information layers detailing the distribution of important biological, geological and geo-morphological conservation features.   

Undertakings include: improving existing habitat mapping through applying European classifications and assessing confidence, evaluating conservation value of geo-physical features, developing a variety of data-layers such as listed species and biodiversity hotspots.  The project will also review the potential for mapping sensitivity.

Leaders in marine spatial planning, ABPmer will also be advising on webGIS options to enable the dissemination of datalayers and assist in the management process of the MPAs

HABMAP

ABPmer were extensively involved in the methodological direction as well as the production of both the input and output dataset layers of HABMAP. This is a continuing project being undertaken by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to map and quantify confidence for habitat mapping of the Irish Sea (http://www.habmap.org).

The project uses physical datasets such as bathymetry and sediment type combined with biological datasets to produce predictive habitat maps at various levels of the EUNIS biotope classification.  Key elements of the research include mapping the modelled outputs within a GIS framework; provision of expert knowledge to assist in verifying the model outputs in relation to the predicted spatial biotope occurrence and input to the final HABMAP report.

Charting Progress 2: Productive Seas “Feeder” Report

During 2008, ABPmer was commissioned by DEFRA/Crown Estate to assess the economic value and impacts (positive, negative and cumulative) of established and emerging socio-economic activities in the marine environment in the UK and consider what, if any, regulatory action was needed.

The findings of this “Productive Seas” assessment will be used to draft a feeder report which will inform a second 'Charting Progress' report (CP2) as a statement of progress on the state of UK seas, following the publication of the initial Charting Progress document in 2005.

Similar feeder reports are being produced for the other parts of the Government's Vision of Clean, Healthy, Safe Productive and Biologically Diverse Oceans and Seas, via a variety of mechanisms.

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