User guide for the British Geological Survey DiGHardSubstrate250k Dataset

This report presents a description and review of the methodology developed by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to produce an assessment of the distribution of hard substrate at, or near the sea-bed on the UK continental shelf. The methodology has been developed in collaboration with external partners and is detailed in Developing the necessary data layers for Marine Conservation Zone selection - Distribution of rock/hard substrate on the UK Continental Shelf MB0103 (Gafeira, J., Green S., Dove, D., Morando, A., Cooper, R., Long, D. and Gatliff R. W, 2010). The method has been critically assessed and its fitness for purpose determined by both external review and by specialists within the BGS.