The European Nature Information System (
EUNIS) habitat classification is a
pan-European system, which was developed between 1996 and 2001 by
the European Environment Agency in collaboration with experts from
throughout Europe. It covers all types of natural and artificial
habitats, both aquatic and terrestrial.
JNCC has actively contributed to the development of the marine
sections of the EUNIS classification, since development began in
1996, with both the structure and detail of the marine
classification strongly influenced by JNCC-led work in this area.
The 2004 version of the
National Marine Habitat Classification
for Britain and Ireland together with the
north-east Atlantic classification developed for
the OSPAR Convention in 2004 have now been fully incorporated into
the latest EUNIS classification which is now
available.
JNCC are continuing work to improve the north-east Atlantic
and Baltic sections as part of our partnership with the European
Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD) in Paris, who work on
behalf of the EEA. Modifications to the EUNIS classification are
currently being considered, both to add further habitat types and
to consider the hierarchical structure. See the attached
paper and
pro forma for
more details.
A
correlation table has
been prepared by JNCC which converts the EUNIS marine
classification to the following schemes:
Users of the correlation table should be aware that there may
not be a clear relationship between habitats in classification
schemes and lists of protected habitats (Habitats Directive, OSPAR,
BAP), especially as the latter are not always precisely defined.
Caution should therefore be exercised in using and applying the
table.