The UKSeaMap Predictive Habitats Map 2026 is a broad-scale prediction that uses physical models of depth, light, sediment and energy to predict the physical seabed habitats for the whole UK seabed. This map covers the UK extended Continental Shelf as defined by the Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2013, but excluding the intertidal zone, Dee Estuary and Morecambe Bay.
Two habitat classification systems are present in the final output:
- EUNIS habitat classification system version 2007-11
- The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland (https://mhc.jncc.gov.uk/) version 22.04
The attribute table includes a column for each of level 2, level 3 and level 4 of each of these two classification schemes. In some cases, there were 2-3 options of habitat type, which were both included and separated by the word “OR“. There is also a column containing the most detailed unique habitat type for each of the two classification systems.
As of version 2026.1 the attribute table also includes 'updatedate' and 'changetype', these can be used to identify new polygons and changes easily.
The habitats were determined by combining 4 categorical input layers called 'habitat descriptors', which are the basis for describing physical habitats in the Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland. These are also present in the geodatabase.
Habitat descriptor data layers:
- Seabed substrate type - created using the British Geological Survey's national broad-scale predictive sediment map - Marchant et al. (2025) and the JNCC-BGS-Cefas national broad-scale predictive rock map (JNCC, 2019)
- Biological zone (also known as biozone) - created using the depth to seabed, wave disturbance at the seabed and amount of light reaching the seabed.
- Kinetic energy at the seabed - created using energy from tidal currents and energy from waves
- Salinity regime - created using the Annex I Habitats Regulations datasets for coastal lagoons and estuaries features
A methods report will be published in due course.
The UKSeaMap Predictive 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.
