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General Description

Features such as parks, gardens, golf courses and railway cuttings or embankments are not listed as separate habitat types, since they are clearly marked as such an Ordnance Survey maps. The colour codes for the appropriate habitat type (for example grassland, woodland or scrub) should, however, be superimposed over the feature on the Ordnance Survey map.

J1 Cultivated/disturbed land Description

This category is subdivided into arable (see J1.1), amenity grassland (see J1.2), ephemeral/short perennial vegetation (J1.3) and introduced shrub (J1.4).

• J1.1 Arable Description - (* This Phase 1 alphanumeric reference code differs from that used in either the 1984 NCC/RSNC classification or the 1982 SSSI mapping system.) - This includes arable cropland, horticultural land (for example nurseries, vegetable plots, flower beds,) freshly-ploughed land and recently reseeded grassland, such as rye grass and rye-clover leys, often managed for silage.
• J1.2 Amenity grassland Description - (* This Phase 1 alphanumeric reference code differs from that used in either the 1984 NCC/RSNC classification or the 1982 SSSI mapping system.) - This comprises intensively managed and regularly mown grasslands, typical of lawns, playing fields, golf course fairways and many urban 'savannah' parks, in which Lolium perenne, with or without Trifolium repens, often predominates. The sward composition will depend on the original seed mixture used and on the age of the community. Herbs such as Bellis perennis, Plantago major and Taraxacum officinale may be present. If the amenity grassland has a sward rich in herbs, it may be possible to classify it as semi-improved acidic, neutral or calcareous grassland, as appropriate. In such cases, the area concerned should be mapped as the specific grassland type and its amenity use target noted.
• J1.3 Ephemeral/short perennial Description - (* This Phase 1 alphanumeric reference code differs from that used in either the 1984 NCC/RSNC classification or the 1982 SSSI mapping system.) - Short, patchy plant associations typical of derelict urban sites, quarries and railway ballast, should be classified here. The land must be freely draining, and usually has shallow stony soil. The vegetation typically lacks a clear dominant species, but consists of a mixture of low-growing plants, often less than 25 cm high, such as Plantago major, Ranunculus repens, Trifolium repens, Medicago lupulina, Tussilago farara, Leucanthemum vulgare and Senecio species, or of taller species such as Sisymbrium or Melilotus species. Parts of fields containing similar communities, such as areas around gates, should not be included, but should be classified as grassland (B). See also tall ruderal (C3.1).
• J1.4 Introduced shrub Description - (* This Phase 1 alphanumeric reference code differs from that used in either the 1984 NCC/RSNC classification or the 1982 SSSI mapping system.) - This is vegetation dominated by shrub species that are not locally native, whether planted or self-sown. Common introduced shrubs includes species of Buxus, Cornus, Laurus, Ligustrum, Rhoddendron and Symphoricarpus. Formal beds of shrubs such as of Hypericum calycinum, Cotoneaster, heaths and dwarf conifers should be included here. Introduced shrubs forming an understorey in woodland should be mapped as woodland (A1) and target noted. Introduced shrub on sand dunes should be classified as dune scrub (H6.7). See also scrub (A2).

J2 Boundaries Description

Although a key to field boundaries is supplied, time constraints often preclude the mapping of boundaries. Nevertheless, the conservation value of hedges should not be overlooked and it is recommended that at least the better examples should be mapped and target noted, particularly in lowland area. Species-rich hedges should be differentiated from species-poor ones by the use of the zig-zag symbol. Fences are usually of little significance, as their wildlife value is low, but recording new boundaries may be important. A clear decision should be made as to the types of boundary to be mapped and consistency should be maintained.
Guidance on recording grassy road verges, railway cuttings and embankments is given under the grassland section (B). Where they are dominated by trees or scrub they should be categorised as woodland (A) and mapped if they broad, otherwise simply target noted.

J3 Built-up areas Description

This category is subdivided into caravan sites (see J3.4), sea walls (see J3.5) and buildings (see 3.6).

• J3.4 Caravan site Description - Hatching may be used as on overlay on the appropriate semi-natural colour, for instance, where the site is on coastal grassland or in woodland.
• J3.5 Sea walls Description - (* This Phase 1 alphanumeric reference code differs from that used in either the 1984 NCC/RSNC classification or the 1982 SSSI mapping system.) - Only sea walls constructed of artificial material (for example concrete) should be included here. Others should be mapped as earth banks (J2.8).
• J3.6 Buildings Description - (* This Phase 1 alphanumeric reference code differs from that used in either the 1984 NCC/RSNC classification or the 1982 SSSI mapping system.) - Map unmarked new buildings or built-up areas and colour those already shown on the Ordnance Survey maps. Agricultural, industrial and domestic buildings should all be coloured in solid black. There is no need to distinguish between them.

J4 Bare ground Description

Any type of bare soil or other substrate should be included here where not already covered (compare bare peat E4, intertidal H1, shingle H3, boulders and rock H4, Dunes H6, maritime cliff H8 and natural rock exposure I). Target note extensive or otherwise important areas of bare ground.

J5 - Other Habitat

Any other miscellaneous habitat which does not closely fit with the other habitat codes and descriptions within the Phase-1 Habitat Survey codification system as shown on this website.