Land Cover Map 2000: National Land Cover Estimates
More than half of the UK is used for intensive agriculture or is developed in some way. The remainder is largely semi-natural. Woodlands occupy about a quarter of UK semi-natural land, with broadleaved and coniferous types about equal in extent. Heaths and bogs cover one-third of the low intensity land; semi-natural swards (including rougher examples of improved swards) form more than a quarter. Montane and coastal habitats, while important, are small in extent.
Key Conclusions
1. LCM2000 records landscape patterns across the whole of the UK: its strength is its ability to focus on areas both large and small and to generate maps and statistics for any such areas.
2. LCM2000 statistics, while comprehensive, were derived without seeing the detail of the Broad Habitats.
3. Field Survey and LCM2000 estimates of the "major habitats" agree closely (generally within 10%). However, satellite mapping cannot distinguish true semi-natural grasslands without inclusion of some derelict, grassland and rough examples of improved swards.
4. LCM2000’s distinction of bog, based upon mapped peat depth >0.5 m, does not include examples on shallow peat but with bog indicator species.
5. The distinction of acid, neutral and calcareous swards in LCM2000 is based on an independent acid-sensitivity map on a 1km grid. It does not portray local soil variations, nor does it record improvements based on lime treatment.
6. LCM2000 does not record narrow waterways; dissected patches of bracken are not recorded; linear woodlands are omitted.
UK cover of widespread Broad Habitats recorded on LCM2000
Arable and horticulture |
Less intensive, mostly semi-natural land uses |
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