The datasets within the package are key when planning integrated projects that will deliver the most for your catchment. Having datasets on flood risk management; water resource, water quality, bio-diversity, socio-economic factors or air quality all in one place allows multi-benefit projects to be targeted, designed and delivered by building on a sound evidence base. This is Step 3 of the Natural Capital approach advocated by the Natural Capital Committee in their “How to do it” workbook. The data package is accompanied by version 5 of the ‘Data User Guide’ which explains how each layer can be used; where it has come from and any issues to be aware of. The data package  has two components:

Desktop data layers: These are layers that can only be used in desktop GIS software such as ArcGIS and Q-GIS. These layers allow the users maximum flexibility to understand, investigate, combine and process data. However, the layers will become out of date and need replacing with more recent data. The aim is to gradually move away from this type of data to Online data layers.

Online data layers: These layers are hosted online and can be viewed either using ArcGIS Online or without any specialist software at all.   These layers can be accessed directly from the ‘owner’ of the data and therefor should be the most up to date. The real beauty of online data is that it can be combined with a narrative and shared with partners in ‘Storymaps’ to underpin truly collaborative catchment management. The new CaBA online data package is structured in exactly the same way as the desktop package.

Much of this data comes from the Environment Agency, allowing us to see where there are Issues in our Rivers, Groundwaters, Lakes or Estuaries & Coasts. This top down assessment of the issues can be challenged or confirmed by local data collected by the CaBA partnership. The CaBA data package is just the start, local data and understanding should be added into it so that the targeting of projects to improve the catchment is based on both the top down (government) and bottom up (community) understanding of the issues. Webinar available shortly.

Once we know where the opportunities and the issues are it is important to understand the Characteristics of the catchment which are relevant to our project. The data is broken down into sub-groups for: Weather;  Landuse, Soils, Rivers, Groundwater, Lakes and Estuary & Coast. Again local data will refine and improve this understanding and should be added into the data package. The design of effective measures and the interpretation of monitoring rely on a sound understanding of catchment characteristics. This is all part of the adaptive management approach that underpins CaBA. Webinar available shortly.

The data in this group is ideal for supporting a ‘Weight of Evidence’ type approach so that we can identify the most likely Causes of the problems and design projects that have the greatest likelihood of delivering significant improvements. This data is absolutely critical if we are to engage effectively with stakeholders because it shows that we are considering all possible causes of problems and not just focusing on one source.

Much of this data comes from models. We have included outputs from multiple models so that you can compare the results, and use model output along with other data in a weight of evidence approach to minimise the risk that we target the wrong problem. This is a good way to deal with the uncertainty inherent in the modelling data. Webinar available shortly.

This is a new section for the CaBA data package for version 5. The data in this group shows what other Actions are being done in the catchment so that opportunities for collaboration can be spotted; and gaps in delivery can be filled. The majority of this data will come from local data collated by the catchment partnership itself. A number of partnerships have already incorporated ‘Submit a project’ functionality on their Storymaps. This allows members of the partnership to identify where they are delivering improvements which their partners should know about and where there are opportunities for partners to collaborate. The datasets provided are from national delivery initiatives. This data is a snapshot of activity within each catchment. It will rapidly get out of date and need updating if it is to be useful. Webinar available shortly.

This is another new section of V5. Monitoring is a key part of the adaptive management approach on which CaBA is based. The data is this section represents the third party (non government agencies) data that can be used to challenge top down understanding and assess the effectiveness of CaBA delivery. Citizen science is a powerful source of evidence that more and more partnerships are using to both engage communities and target action where it will make the most difference. Webinar available shortly.

We have incorporated the main data layers which help identify the relevant organisational boundaries for each catchment. One key layer is that of the ‘fourteen areas’ which will be used for the accounting of natural capital. Webinar available shortly.