The habitat areas contained herein have been derived using the best available desktop information at the time of plan preparation. This includes remote sensing data, high resolution imagery, Lidar data, original survey site reports, OSNI orthos, condition assessment data and reports 2006-2011, OSNI basemap vectors, other information from field surveys.

This site was mapped by RPS. Although field based habitat mapping is not conducted specifically as part of the plan preparation, site visits were conducted during the process to ground truth imagery and pre-existing mapping. Site visits were conducted by NIEA post-map production to ground truth a proportion of the mapping.

The habitat map was created at 1:1,000 scale and mapped to Phase 1, EUNIS and Annex 1, where appropriate.

It is intended that this map will be reviewed as required. This version was completed on 23 February 2024.

A more detailed description of the mapping approach is provided below:

Step 1 – A base habitat map was derived within the SAC domain using existing Field Boundaries layer provided by NIEA.

Step 2 – Polygon segmentation and habitat classifications were assigned using remote sensing data in the form of 0.4m resolution orthophotography and oblique imagery taken acquired through a helicopter survey. This survey was undertaken by Cyient who also acquired detailed LiDAR information during this survey.

Step 3 – Further detail and accuracy was added to the map using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM) to distinguish areas of woodland and scrub. The combination of these two layers facilitated the creation of a Height layer where regions of 5m or above was considered woodland, and regions of height less than 5m was considered scrub.

Step 4 – The output draft habitat map derived from Step 1-3 described above was supplied to BEC consultants Ltd undertook a detailed survey of the site ASSI features (particularly woodland).

Step 5 – The outputs of the BEC survey were used to update and improve the map by adding detail to ASSI features and including NVC Codes.

Step 6 – The final map was then subject to internal QA/QC proceedings in the form of an automated workflow developed in Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) to remove gaps, slivers, overlaps. This was to ensure the mapping is Inspire Directive compliant and meets the general JNCC habitat mapping standards and practices.

For more information on Annex 1 codes in the UK please see the following website - https://sac.jncc.gov.uk/habitat/