UK Protected Area Datasets for Download
JNCC provides summary data for all internationally designated UK protected areas and their features, plus protected area boundary layers.
JNCC holds datasets for all Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites in the UK terrestrial and marine environment. These datasets are described below. For datasets specific to UK marine protected areas, please visit the Marine Protected Area Datasets for Download webpage.
Special Areas of Conservation
JNCC maintains datasets for all SACs in the UK.
JNCC provides summary data for all UK SACs and their qualifying habitats and species (spreadsheet format – includes SPAs) and a spatial layer of the SAC boundaries (shapefile format – excludes offshore area).
The SAC and SPA spreadsheet and SAC shapefiles can be downloaded from the Resource Hub.
Please note, the country nature conservation bodies (CNCBs) periodically update SAC boundaries, for example when natural features shift position. These changes are subtle and may not result in an update to JNCC’s datasets. For the latest SAC boundaries, visit the relevant CNCB webpage (see links below).
SACs with "marine components" are SACs which protect a habitat or species associated with the marine environment. Data for these marine sites can be found on the Marine Protected Area Datasets for Download webpage.
Special Protection Areas
JNCC maintains datasets for all Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in the UK.
JNCC provides summary data for all UK SPAs and their qualifying bird features (spreadsheet format – includes SACs) and a spatial layer of the SPA boundaries (shapefile format).
The SPA and SAC spreadsheet and SPA shapefiles can be downloaded from the Resource Hub.
Please note, the country nature conservation bodies (CNCBs) periodically review the qualifying bird species of SPAs and update SPA boundaries, for example in light of new population counts or when natural features of the coastline shift position. JNCC’s datasets may not have been updated to reflect these changes. For the latest SPA datasets, visit the relevant CNCB webpage.
SPAs with "marine components" are SPAs which protect a bird species associated with the marine environment. Data for these sites can be found on the Marine Protected Area Datasets for Download webpage.
Ramsar sites
JNCC maintains datasets for all Ramsar sites in the UK.
JNCC provides summary data for all UK Ramsar sites and their habitats and species features (spreadsheet format) and a spatial layer of the Ramsar site boundaries (shapefile format).
The Ramsar site spreadsheet and Ramsar site shapefiles can be downloaded from the Resource Hub.
Further information on national designations
JNCC does not hold datasets for country-level protected areas designated in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland through national legislation, such as: Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (NCMPAs) (Scotland); Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (England, Scotland and Wales) and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) (Northern Ireland); Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), National Scenic Areas (Scotland) and National Park (England, Scotland and Wales). Country Nature Conservation Bodies (CNCBs) also hold the latest data for inshore Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.
Data for national designation types can be downloaded from the following CNCB websites:
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CNCB |
Data portal |
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DAERA, Northern Ireland |
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Natural England |
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Natural Resources Wales |
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NatureScot |
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