Soil Erosion and Disturbance Features Survey Across Wales 2021-2023

ERAMMP National Field Survey data contains polygon and polyline layers of categorised soil erosion and disturbance features. Surveyors mapped features from aerial imagery and ground surveys across 261 squares, with zones within 225 squares surveyed between 2021 and 2023. The dataset also includes a raster map of primary controls on soil erosion feature density in Wales.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial distribution of categorised soil erosion and disturbance features from polygon layers to identify regional hotspots.
• Model the relationship between soil erosion feature density and primary control groups using the provided raster map.
• Compare soil erosion extent and type data from the 2021-2023 resurvey with baseline data from the 2013-2016 GMEP program to assess change over time.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a structured program (ERAMMP NFS) designed to resurvey 300 specific 1km square locations on a rolling annual basis.
• Combines desk-based aerial imagery analysis with ground truthing by field surveyors across 225 surveyed squares.
• Provides multiple data representations including polygon/polyline vector layers and a raster control map.

Limitations

• Sample is limited to 300 specific 1km squares in Wales, which may not be fully representative of all Welsh landscapes.
• Data completeness is partial, with SED features identified from 261 squares and field surveys conducted in zones within only 225 squares.
• The dataset's structure and specific attribute columns are not detailed in the provided input.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre, originating from the Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring & Modelling Programme (ERAMMP).

Collection Method

Features identified from desk-based survey of aerial imagery and mapped by field surveyors; based on a stratified random sampling design of 300 1km sites.

Time Range

2021-2023 (with the initial baseline program, GMEP, running from 2013-2016).

Freshness

Data covers the period 2021-2023, with metadata last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Wales, United Kingdom.