Locate the interface with nature
LOCATE THE INTERFACE WITH NATURE
The first step in the framework involves mapping an organisation’s operations across sectors and value chains to pinpoint potential dependencies and impacts on nature. Accurately identifying these requires robust, high integrity spatial data on habitats and species. That’s where we can help.
UKCEH Land Cover Maps
Species diversity recordings
Using satellite data, UKCEH creates Land Cover Maps that show the habitats that exist across the UK, and how they are changing. They do this by describing the physical material on the surface of the United Kingdom, providing an uninterrupted national dataset covering land cover classes from grassland, woodland and fresh water to urban and suburban built-up areas.
These maps serve a multitude of purposes, with applications spanning research, policymaking and business, including identifying locations where a business interfaces with nature.
The map is produced annually at 10m resolution and classifies the UK land surface into 21 broad habitat types, which can be used to:
Produce an inventory of habitats and land uses within a specified area of interest;
Calculate landscape structure metrics to form a core input for a wide range of assessments and models . For instance, our Land Cover Maps contribute to UK nature capital accounts calculations published by the Office for National Statistics.
UKCEH Land Cover Maps are continuously improved to incorporate new data layers. They can already be enhanced with additional data on woody linear features including hedgerows and crop types. Development is also underway to produce maps at 3m resolution and include additional data layers.
More on how to access and use the maps >
UKCEH scientists use species recordings from the Biological Records Centre to produce Species Distribution Models. These models are instrumental in estimating the diversity of priority species in targeted areas. The data generated can inform nature-related decisions in business strategies such as prioritising sites and the strategic targeting of activities to improve biodiversity.
Our scientists worked with the International Union of Railways (UIC), the professional association representing rail companies across the world, to provide technical recommendations and key design features for incorporating and enhancing habitats within the existing European network and new line upgrades. This included providing examples of best practice.
The UIC Guidelines for Managing Railway Assets for Biodiversity form part of the European Railways: Strategy and Action Guide to ensure management for biodiversity is embedded at every level of the railway business, alongside safety, performance and sustainability.
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“We worked closely with railway companies across Europe to distil the best available knowledge on managing railway assets to benefit nature. For each asset, we considered the most effective measures to protect and restore biodiversity.”
