Habitat Data
Cumbria has the most diverse range of habitats of any English county, with all 24 priority habitat classifications represented. Over one third of all Cumbrian land, including the estuarine mud-flats, has been classified as priority habitat. Section 41 of the 2006 NERC Act (‘Habitats of Principle Importance in England’) maps out and designates priority habitat areas.
Cumbria contains a significant share of England’s total priority habitat land. For example, Cumbria is home to 84% of England’s total Heath and Willow scrub habitat, 59% of Limestone Pavement, 45% of Lowland Raised Bog, 44% of Upland Flushes, 25% of Upland Hay Meadows, 23% of Upland Calcareous Grassland, 22% of Saltmash, and 22% of Blanket Bog.
Read more:Priority Habitats in Cumbria, 2014 (PDF)
Priority Habitat Inventory
CBDC holds a copy of Natural England’s Priority Habitat Inventory document, and provides PDF maps of the habitats around a site as part of our Data Services. We also hold additional data on Sabellaria alveolata reefs and a later reedbed survey of the county, which are added to the Natural England layer. The vector layer is then included in the Cumbria Biodiversity Evidence Base (CBEB) layers for partner organisations.
Phase 1 Habitat Survey of Cumbria 1983-1987
The Habitat Survey of Cumbria was carried out between 1983-87 to the standard Phase 1 Nature Conservancy Council method. The resulting habitat maps were produced at a 1:10000 scale, with commentary (‘target notes’) for particular locations briefly providing additional information on habitats and plant species. The information was collated and presented in Wildlife Habitat in Cumbria (1990), edited by Kelly and Perry. CBDC can provide scanned maps of the areas and target notes, if required. The raster layer and target notes are included in the CBEB layers for partner organisations.
Habitat Statements
Cumbria specific context statements for planning and development are freely provided to all as part of the Cumbria Biodiversity Evidence Base, which covers all priority habitats in Cumbria except for the ‘arable field margins.’
