National Evidence: Desktop & Online CaBA GIS Data Package V5

Organisation: Various

Location: European

Type: Technical Support & Training

The Desktop & Online CaBA GIS Data Package is a set of over 150 data layers, which is provided to CaBA Catchment Hosts under a license negotiated centrally with the data providers. Version 5 is the latest release and is a complete refresh of all the preceding data packages with some great new data including CLAD and the Water Company WINEP.

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 However, the layers will become out of date and need replacing with more recent data.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.

About the CaBA GIS Data Package

The Desktop & Online CaBA GIS Data Package is a set of over 150 data layers, which is provided to CaBA Catchment Hosts under a license negotiated centrally with the data providers. Version 5 is the latest release and is a complete refresh of all the preceding data packages.

The layers have been symbolised to aid interpretation, and a guidance manual is available to help with an evidence-based assessment of your catchment.

Data is provided in ESRI format, with a simple map template included which can be customised with partnership logos.  CaBA host organisations can share the data package with their partners to facilitate collaborative and evidence-based catchment planning. We are working towards producing a Q-GIS version in September 2019.

There have been four previous releases of the data package. Version 5 is a complete refresh of all the proceeding data and provides a greatly enhanced evidence base for every CaBA partnership. The data is grouped into seven sections, each one of which will be supported by a 10 – 15 minute webinar to show how the data can be used and a User Guide.

1) What are the Opportunities for action?

Why start with Opportunities? Because CaBA is all about delivering projects. These layers help us target where we deliver projects so that they bring the maximum benefit to the environment; the economy and the community that support us. The opportunities data help partnerships to work with Water Companies; Highways England and The Coal Authority as well as the local communities and government agencies.

The opportunities are further sub-divided into the same ‘Topic’ headings that are used in the CaBA website to organise the technical resources in the ‘Learn’ section: Rural Land Management; Urban Land Management; Flood Resilience; River Restoration and Wildlife; Water Quality; Water Resources; Climate Change; Estuaries & Coast; Air Quality, Natural Capital; Recreation & Culture and Socio-economic. All this data allows us to go to any location in the catchment where we are planning to work and see what other opportunities there are so our project can deliver multiple benefits and therefore access increased funding.

2) What are the well known issues in the catchment?

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.

3) What are the Characteristics of the catchment?

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: WeatherLanduse, 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.

4) What are the potential 'Causes' of the problems?

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.

5) What Actions are being delivered?

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.

6) What additional Monitoring is available?

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.

7) Basemapping

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.

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