This classification was developed as part of the UK
Biodiversity Action Plan. The list of Broad Habitats that was
published in the UK Steering Group report in 1995 has been subject
to a recent review to ensure that the whole of the land surface of
the UK and the surrounding sea to the edge of the continental shelf
is covered. This has resulted in a revised list of 27 Broad
Habitats.
JNCC has published
guidance on the interpretation of Broad
Habitats. This report contains the definitions for each of the
terrestrial and freshwater types of the biodiversity Broad Habitat
Classification. The definitions given are based upon the
descriptions agreed by the UK Biodiversity Group and published in
volume two of the second tranche of action plans (UK Biodiversity
Group 1998b). In addition to the definitions, annex 1 of this
report contains tables which show the correspondence between these
broad habitat types and a number of other standard habitat
classifications and select lists of habitats of conservation
interest commonly used in the UK for collecting and reporting
data.
The Broad Habitats are the framework through which the
Government is committed to meet its obligations for monitoring in
the wider countryside. The
Countryside
Survey 2000 published by the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra) provides information of the extent and
quality of some of the more widespread Broad Habitats.