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UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats: Mosaic of Localised Maps v2025.1 2026

Abstract

The UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats (UKASH) Mosaic of Localised Maps is a composite of multiple data sources in the form of polygons. It takes the Library of Localised Maps and integrates these into a single, non-overlapping map product for the UK seabed, including the intertidal zone, but only where localised habitat maps exist.

Where maps overlap, we have selected the most reliable according to set criteria. Source maps vary in terms of spatial and thematic detail. All original classifications and the provenance of individual polygons is preserved within the data product/data inventory. Standardised fields containing the EUNIS v2007-11 and Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland (v 22.04) habitat classification information are also provided.

This product presents a rapid, single view of habitats as determined from localised habitat maps, without the possibility of having to query several overlapping pieces of information that may be present in the Library of Localised Maps.

The polygon dataset is accompanied by a data inventory spreadsheet which provides a summary of the data sources that have been used to construct the data product.

The Mosaic of Localised Maps forms part of the UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats (UKASH), a suite of mapping products, offering the most complete characterisation of seabed habitats in the UK in the Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland and the European standard classification system, EUNIS. UKASH is composed of: * UKASH Library of Localised Maps: A standardised collection of individual, ground-truthed habitat maps from various sources. * UKASH Mosaic of Localised Maps: A unified, non-overlapping map product that prioritises the most reliable maps from the UKASH Library of Localised Maps. * UKSeaMap Predictive Map: A seamless, full-coverage predictive map of physical seabed habitats in the UK. * UKASH Combined Map: The UKASH Mosaic of Localised Maps, with gaps filled by the UKSeaMap Predictive Map.

Resource type Dataset

Topic category Oceans

Reference date 2026·09·29

Citation
The Mosaic of Localised Maps contains data from multiple sources, as identified by the SNCB_UID and EMODnetGUI columns. These are described in the attached Data Inventory, along with specific citations. Please refer to these specific citations when referring to the individual localised maps. For citing the Mosaic of Localised Maps as a whole, please use the following citation: JNCC (2026). "UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats: Mosaic of Localised Maps v2026.1" JNCC data release. © JNCC and other data providers as set out in the data inventory [https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/eed85088-19a2-48af-843bca4f8bd12e36]

Lineage
08/09/2026 - version 2026.1. Update to attribute table to include version change and country waters information. Also correction to habitats for a small subset of habitats. For more information about updates please see the user guide. 14/08/2025 - version 2025.2. Update to integrate new offshore survey maps into the UKASH Mosaic of localised Maps and UKASH Combined Map. This version was not published externally. 11/04/2025 First publication - version 2025.1. Work was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the marine arm of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme: NC42: mNCEA for GES

Responsible organisation
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC custodian

Limitations on public access No limitations on public access.

Use constraints Available under Open government Licence v3.0 (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) This product contains data from a variety of sources and attribution statements for each map are provided in the data inventory.

Metadata date 2026·10·08

Metadata point of contact
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC

Temporal extent 1968·01·01 2025·12·31

Spatial extent
North 60.862681
South 48.115059
East 2.89474
West -14.409424
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