Northern Ireland First Order Coastal Cell Boundaries

Seven first-order coastal cells delineate the entire Northern Ireland coastline. Boundaries were identified using historical Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs, and expert geomorphological knowledge, and are classified as either littoral drift divides or sediment sinks. This spatial tool is designed for calculating sediment budgets and managing coastal change.

Use Cases

• Calculating sediment budgets for specific coastal sectors based on cell boundaries.
• Identifying zones where coastal changes might propagate to adjacent areas using the cell framework.
• Informing coastal management strategies with mapped littoral drift divides and sediment sinks.
• Supporting geomorphological studies of sediment transport pathways along the Northern Ireland coast.

Strengths

• Delineates the entire Northern Ireland coastline into a specific, manageable number of 7 first-order cells.
• Boundaries are derived from multiple authoritative sources: historical Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs, and expert knowledge.
• Cross-platform presence (UK and EU open data portals) indicates recognized utility and stability.

Limitations

• Column names and detailed attribute schema are not provided in any source, limiting understanding of the data's internal structure.
• The dataset's temporal coverage is not explicitly stated, though it uses historical maps.
• One source lists a future 'last updated' date (2026-04-15), which is a metadata conflict or error.

Provenance

Source

DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) commissioned Ulster University.

Collection Method

Delineation using historical Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs, and expert coastal geomorphological knowledge.

Time Range

Historical (specific range not stated)

Freshness

2026-04 15 14:21:06.251854

Geography

Northern Ireland coastline