The UK Atlas of Seabed Habitats (UKASH) Combined Map is the most comprehensive full coverage (except in the intertidal zone, where UKSeaMap is not available to fill the gaps) map of seabed habitats in the UK. It combines the Mosaic of Localised Maps with the UKSeaMap Predictive Map. Source maps vary in terms of spatial and thematic detail. Where the source is UKSeaMap, the spatial and thematic detail is typically low.
Its main strength is that it lets us calculate the total area of broad-scale habitats within UK waters and/or regional seas, using the best-available data. This is particularly useful for assessments of the adequacy of the UK marine protected area network.
For other purposes, it should be used with caution and understanding of its limitations caused by the varying quality of the source maps. Please see the data inventory included in the download package for more information.
A method report will be provided in due course.
The Combined Map 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.
