Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR)

 
The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by the JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. The focus of MNCR work was on benthic habitats and their associated communities, which together are described as 'biotopes' in inshore areas.
 
The main objectives of the MNCR were to:
 
  • identify sites and species of nature conservation importance
  • extend our knowledge of benthic marine habitats, communities and species in Great Britain, particularly through description of their characteristics, distribution and extent
  • provide information through the data collected to support more general measures required to minimize adverse effects of development and pollution, particularly on sites and for species of nature conservation importance.

 

Other elements of the MNCR involved developing, along with contribution from country agency staff, methods for survey, assessment and reporting. These methods provided the basis for the development of MNCR survey techniques and reflected the need to describe systematically and consistently the character of the habitats present and the abundance of species in them so that comparisons between sites could be undertaken. Central to these methods were specially designed MNCR recording forms, onto which field data were transcribed in a standard format and abundance of species recorded using the SACFOR abundance scales. These forms are still used today.
 
All aspects of the MNCR and further surveys are supported by Marine Recorder which enables rapid access, manipulation and dissemination of data. This database is held by each of the country agency marine teams.
 
The results of the MNCR field surveys are disseminated for use by conservation organisations. Until 1994, dissemination was through reports of each separate field survey. The MNCR has now produced a variety of publications, including the regional report series for each of the 15 MNCR coastal sectors (see below) and the Marine Habitat Classification.
 
List of Regional MNCR Series
Dipper, F.A. & Johnston, C.M. 2005. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sectors 15 and 3. Sealochs in north-west Scotland: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series.)

 

Howson, C.M. 1999. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 1. Shetland: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Thorpe, K. 1998. Marine Nature Conservation Reviews Sectors 1 & 2. Lagoons in Shetland and Orkney: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Murray, E., Dalkin, M.J., Fortune, F., & Begg, K. 1999. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 2. Orkney: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Covey. R., Fortune, F., Nichols, D.M. & Thorpe, K. 1998. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sectors 3, 4, 13 & 15. Lagoons in mainland Scotland and the Inner Hebrides: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Brazier, D.P., Davies, J., Holt, R.H.F., & Murray, E. 1998. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 5. South-east Scotland and north-east England: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Hill, T.O., Emblow, C.S., & Northen, K.O. 1996. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 6. Inlets in eastern England: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Moore, J.J., Smith, J., & Northen, K.O. 1999. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 8. Inlets in the western English Channel: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Moore, J., Smith, J., Northen, K.O. & Little, M. 1998. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 9. Inlets in the British Channel and approaches: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Brazier, D.P., Holt, R.H.F., Murray, E. & Nichols, D.M. 1999. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 10. Cardigan Bay and north Wales: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Covey, R. 1998. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 11. Liverpool Bay and the Solway Firth: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Dipper, F.A., & Beaver, R. 1999. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 12. Sealochs in the Clyde Sea: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Thorpe, K., Dalkin, M.J., Fortune, F., & Nichols, D.M. 1998. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 14. Lagoons in the Outer Hebrides: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).

Dipper, F.A. & Johnston, C.M. 2000. Marine Nature Conservation Review Sector 15. Sealochs in north-west Scotland: area summaries. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series.)