Shallow Section of the Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland (formerly v04.05)

 

This text is taken from Connor et. al. 2004 and refers to the previous version of the classification. The current version 15.03 retains the information in v04.05, but adds a new deep-sea section. The information provided for v04.05 applies to the shallower section (littoral to circalittoral) of the current classification. This text can also be downloaded as a pdf from the download page.

Introduction and background to the classification

This publication presents a classification of marine habitats for the shores and seabed around Britain and Ireland. It has been substantially revised and updated from the previous version which was developed by JNCC's Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR) as part of the EC Life Nature-funded BioMar programme (Connor et al. 1997a, b).
 
This version reflects the continuing needs of end-users for improved information about each habitat, which is presented in a variety of interactive ways in this web-based publication.
 
As a result of re-analysis of field data, including new data from recent surveys in candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs), a number of new habitat types have been described.
 
The classification has been restructured, both to reflect improved understanding of the inter-relationship of habitat types and to align itself more closely with the European EUNIS habitat classification system.
 

Next chapters:

 

Classification development

Classification structure

Rationale for classification

The marine environment

 
 
 
This report should be cited as:
DAVID W. CONNOR, JAMES H. ALLEN, NEIL GOLDING, KERRY L. HOWELL, LOUISE M. LIEBERKNECHT, KATE O. NORTHEN AND JOHNNY B. REKER (2004)
The  Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05© 2004 Copyright JNCC, Peterborough   ISBN 1 861 07561 8 (internet version)