Mapping the Seabed around Wales

HABMAP - the project that maps natural habitats in the Irish Sea - has reached a major milestone. Now, all Welsh waters have been mapped, including, for the first time, the Bristol Channel, Dee and Severn Estuaries. All maps are now available for you to study on this website.

photo ©CCW

HABMAP, established in 2004, uses a modelling approach to predict the distribution of habitats in the Irish Sea.

By combining biological and physical datasets with new acoustic mapping and biological survey work across Welsh waters, CCW marine scientists have determined where each habitat is likely to be found.

Such a strong evidence base is vital to ensure that CCW provides sound advice to Government and others on how best to conserve and manage the marine environment, and its valuable habitats, into the future.

The work to map habitats throughout Welsh waters has built on original work in the Irish Sea, funded by INTERREG and published as two BIOMÔR reports in conjunction with the National Museum Wales.

The extension project – covering the estuaries – has been undertaken by marine scientists at the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) along with ecologists and GIS specialists at ABPmer.

The results of the latest modelling and mapping exercise are now available from the “Resources” section of the HABMAP project’s new pages http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/habitats--species/habmap.aspx?lang=en.

Predictive biotope maps and reports from both the original and extended studies are also available to download here, along with the results of survey work undertaken during the project.

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