FIND - Professional Mapping Intelligence software

This information layer displays the locations and classification of areas deemed by three official bodies to be of natural importance. These areas include ancient woodlands, sites of special scientific significance and Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance), among many others. FIND has sourced natural heritage data from three public organisations for Great Britain - Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. The classifications of areas deemed to be of natural importance vary between England, Scotland and Wales. To explore the classifications in more depth, please visit the websites of the organisations listed above.

Various elements that occur naturally in the environment can under certain circumstances become harmful to plants, animals or people. Whether or not an element constitutes a hazard depends on a variety of factors including its chemical form, concentration, behaviour and the extent to which it may be taken up by living organisms. A significant proportion of the landscape in Great Britain has naturally elevated topsoil concentrations.

Geological maps are useful to a wide range of businesses with interests in planning and development as well as more academic aspects such as the Earth’s geological history, its fossils and its landscape development. All our geological mapping information is sourced from the British Geological Survey (BGS).