GCN - Strategic Opportunity Areas (Kent)

This dataset identifies areas where the addition of new ponds would benefit Great Crested Newt populations. The core areas contain a pond density of 2+ ponds and are located within a 1km square where great crested newt presence has been predicted. Fringe areas contain a pond density of 1 and are located within a 1km square where great crested newt presence has been predicted or are within a 250m of a Core Area. Higher scores are associated with darker colouration and represent a greater presence of suitable habitat features: Distance from rivers (100-1000m; +1) Soil pH (6.5 - 7.5; +1) Soil phosphorus (<40 g kg-1; +1) Density of arable land (0-33.3%; +1) Density of grassland (20-66.6%; +1) Distance to trees (0-100m: +1) Soil Drainage (Free draining or Variable; -1) Density of urban areas (33.3-100%; -2) All scores are summed, Urban areas > 2ha (+400m buffer), roads (7.5m) and rivers (7.5m) have been excluded. Attribution statement: © Natural England, 2023. Based upon LCM2019 © NERC (CEH) 2020. Soils Data © Cranfield University (NSRI) and for the Controller of HMSO 2019. Contains data supplied by Natural Environment Research Council © NERC (Centre for Ecology & Hydrology) and © Natural England. Soils Data © Cranfield University (NSRI) and for the Controller of HMSO 2019. Based upon LCM2007 © NERC (CEH) 2011. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright 2007. © third party licensors. Contains, or is derived from, information supplied by the Ordnance Survey and Rural Payments Agency. © Crown copyright and database rights 2019. © Freshwater Habitats Trust, PondNet monitoring scheme 2018. © Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG) 2022. © European Union, Copernicus Land Monitoring Service 2018, European Environment Agency (EEA) Ashford District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Canterbury City Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023 Ordnance Survey 100019614; Dartford Borough Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Dover District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Folkstone & Hythe Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Gravesham Borough Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Kent County Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Maidstone District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Medway Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023 Ordnance Survey 100024225; Sevenoaks District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Swale Borough Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Thanet District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Tonbridge & Malling District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023; Tunbridge Wells District Council © Crown copyright and database rights 2023.