Background to the GCR database
The informaion in the GCR database is the product of over
two decades of site evaluation and documentation. It contains an
inventory
of
over
3000 GCR sites,
selected for around
100 categories (the GCR ‘Blocks’) encompassing the
range of geological and geomorphological features of Britain.
JNCC is responsible for
the upkeep and accuracy of GCR site data, and the country conservation
agencies (Countryside
Council for Wales, English Nature, and Scottish Natural Heritage)
are responsible for advising JNCC of the links
between GCR sites and SSSIs. Information about SSSIs is managed
separately by the country conservation agencies.
Each site record has a single grid reference in the database, intended
to help locate the localities on distribution maps. For sites of
a linear nature (for example, a length of coast) the grid reference
provided is typically one extremity. Some sites covering a wide
area are referenced by a centroid. Site boundaries are not included
in the database.
Full detailed accounts of the sites are published in the volumes
of the Geological Conservation Review
Series.
Many GCR sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these
pages does not imply any right of public access. Prior consent
for visits should always be obtained from the landowner and/or occupier
via the relevant country conservation agency.
Block definitions
The ‘Block’ definitions provided
in the database and reproduced here are based largely on existing
GCR
publications,
where available. They
are under development and will be enhanced and refined as new GCR
publications are produced. In terms of the geological ages assigned
to events and intervals of time in millions of years (Ma) as described
in these definitions, it should be pointed out that although the
names and sequences of chronostratigraphical units and geological
time intervals are agreed by international standards, the ‘absolute
dating’ of the boundaries continues to undergo revision,
as new and/or more accurate methods of dating are employed. The
dating of younger units is generally more secure. Therefore ages
provided in the Block definitions are provided to help assist users,
and are principally those as published by The International Commission
on Stratigraphy (ICS, part of the International Union of Geological
Sciences (IUGS); see http://www.stratigraphy.org
Updating the GCR Database
To maintain an up-to-date GCR database of Britain’s
best Earth geological and geomorphological science sites, which
ensures that the GCR retains
its scientific credibility as a 'benchmark' for quality, and to ensure
that the highlights of British geology continue to be conserved, it is
important that the GCR daabase of sites is not static. Increased
or hitherto unrecognized significance may be seen in new sites. Indeed,
new sites continue to be proposed for the GCR lists and are accepted or
rejected following consideration of conservation value, and detailed assessment
and independent refereeing.
As the GCR Publications Programme draws to a close in 2004, JNCC
intends to undergo a ongoing incremental review of the site coverage
in a selected
number of GCR 'Blocks' each year, consulting with experts in the geological
community, this may result in proposals for new sites and suggestions
for deletions.
After over two decades of site evaluation and documentation, we
now have an inventory of over 3000 GCR sites, selected for around
100 categories (the GCR ‘Blocks’) encompassing the
range of geological and geomorphological features of Britain. In
addition to the publication of detailed site reports in the 42-volume Geological
Conservation Review Series, JNCC has established an electronic
database of basic GCR site information.
Navigating the GCR database To navigate the information in the database you may:
- List sites by local authority, GCR block or choose a site from
a list on the search page
- Click on a 100 x 100 km square on the UK
map to
list sites geographically
If you have any comments about the database please contact:
|
