498
C. Johnston and A. Davison
Use of the Information
The information gathered and presented from the two surveys will have a number of
key applications. The surveys were commissioned primarily to gather information that
would assist in the implementation of the Regulations (1995) which deliver the
requirements of the Habitats Directive.
Under the Regulations the Relevant Authorities (local authorities and other
regulating bodies) are expected to undertake their management of the site so that the
conservation features of the site are maintained. The conservation agencies are
required to provide the relevant authorities with a series of conservation objectives
which will ensure the conservation features. The relevant authorities are encouraged
to develop a more integrated approach to the management of the site and with advice
assistance from the conservation agencies develop a management scheme to deliver the
conservation objectives. This whole process is expected to involve detailed and wide
consultation and discussion.
One of the most important uses of the data provided by the surveys is to
provide a starting point for these discussions. Clearly it is difficult to initiate
discussions with other interested bodies and individuals on the future management of a
site without a comprehension of the distribution and extent of the habitats and
communities found in the site.
SNH are using graphical data in a GIS environment to consider the approach
to the development of targeted conservation objectives for both SACs. Both SACs have
been proposed for their rocky reef habitats and communities. Having graphically
mapped data showing the general distribution and extent of the rocky areas of the site
will allow for conservation objectives and the future management scheme to focus on
these areas.
The full use of the data gathered and graphically mapped by these surveys have fairly
recently been received but already the following uses for the data have been identified.
the development of conservation objectives under the Regulations can become
more focused and area specific using the information on the extent and
distribution of the conservation features, habitats and communities of the sites
the development of a management scheme for each site may use the data
gathered during these surveys to develop a zoned approach to the practical
management of the sites. This will enable appropriate management measures
to be targeted to the most sensitive and vulnerable features of the sites
it will allow the extent and distribution and, when considered with detailed
Phase II information, the quality of the biotopes to be monitored
it will be used as part of the baseline data for monitoring the condition of the
SACs, which must be reported to the EC every six years
under the Regulations, any new proposed development plan or project would
be subject to the appropriate assessment of its likely impact on the
conservation features of the site; the data gathered during the surveys
C. Johnston and A. Davison
Use of the Information
The information gathered and presented from the two surveys will have a number of
key applications. The surveys were commissioned primarily to gather information that
would assist in the implementation of the Regulations (1995) which deliver the
requirements of the Habitats Directive.
Under the Regulations the Relevant Authorities (local authorities and other
regulating bodies) are expected to undertake their management of the site so that the
conservation features of the site are maintained. The conservation agencies are
required to provide the relevant authorities with a series of conservation objectives
which will ensure the conservation features. The relevant authorities are encouraged
to develop a more integrated approach to the management of the site and with advice
assistance from the conservation agencies develop a management scheme to deliver the
conservation objectives. This whole process is expected to involve detailed and wide
consultation and discussion.
One of the most important uses of the data provided by the surveys is to
provide a starting point for these discussions. Clearly it is difficult to initiate
discussions with other interested bodies and individuals on the future management of a
site without a comprehension of the distribution and extent of the habitats and
communities found in the site.
SNH are using graphical data in a GIS environment to consider the approach
to the development of targeted conservation objectives for both SACs. Both SACs have
been proposed for their rocky reef habitats and communities. Having graphically
mapped data showing the general distribution and extent of the rocky areas of the site
will allow for conservation objectives and the future management scheme to focus on
these areas.
The full use of the data gathered and graphically mapped by these surveys have fairly
recently been received but already the following uses for the data have been identified.
the development of conservation objectives under the Regulations can become
more focused and area specific using the information on the extent and
distribution of the conservation features, habitats and communities of the sites
the development of a management scheme for each site may use the data
gathered during these surveys to develop a zoned approach to the practical
management of the sites. This will enable appropriate management measures
to be targeted to the most sensitive and vulnerable features of the sites
it will allow the extent and distribution and, when considered with detailed
Phase II information, the quality of the biotopes to be monitored
it will be used as part of the baseline data for monitoring the condition of the
SACs, which must be reported to the EC every six years
under the Regulations, any new proposed development plan or project would
be subject to the appropriate assessment of its likely impact on the
conservation features of the site; the data gathered during the surveys