Historical Earthquake Records and Recorded Seismic Activity in South Downs National Park

Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve: Geography and Protected Coastal Landscapes

Chalk downlands and marine ecosystems in Sussex

The Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve anchors a diverse range of protected habitats from the South Downs ridges to the English Channel seafloor. This mapped record details the terrestrial chalk grasslands, coastal cliffs, and rare offshore reef systems that characterize this notable biosphere reserve in Sussex. It serves as a comprehensive geographic reference for understanding the boundary between land-based conservation and marine habitat management.

Area

295.14 km²

Established

2014

Visitors

12M annual

Relief

Upland

Beachy Head West Marine Protected Area: Coastal Geography and Underwater Chalk Landscapes

Mapped protected seabed and marine geography in East Sussex

Investigate the marine landscape of Beachy Head West, a protected zone defined by its submerged chalk reefs and gullies extending from the East Sussex cliffs into the English Channel. This record highlights the site's distinct underwater topography, seabed mosaic, and its role as a core component of the regional marine conservation network across southeast England.

Area

24 km²

Established

2013

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone: Protected Marine Geography and Chalk Reef Landscapes

Submerged chalk cliff systems and rocky reefs in West Sussex

The Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone protects an unusual underwater landscape of chalk ridges and rocky outcrops within the English Channel. Stretching between Littlehampton and Worthing, this area serves as a vital spawning ground and exhibits some of the finest chalk reef features in European waters.

Area

47 km²

Established

2013

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

New Forest National Park: Historic Protected Landscape and Regional Geography in England

Mapped heathland, ancient woodlands, and pastoral traditions.

Explore New Forest National Park, a nationally significant protected area in England renowned for its unique blend of ancient royal forest history, traditional pastoral practices, and biologically rich lowland habitats. This page provides an atlas-focused view of its mapped boundaries, distinctive terrain, and geographic context within England, highlighting its value as a living landscape shaped by centuries of common grazing rights and supporting rare wildlife.

Area

566 km²

Established

2005

IUCN

V

Visitors

14.8M annual

Wraysbury Reservoir: An Engineered Nature Reserve and Vital Wetland Habitat in Surrey

Examining infrastructure, ecology, and sonar testing geography.

Wraysbury Reservoir stands as a unique example of late-twentieth-century industrial landscape design, serving as both a primary London water resource and a protected Ramsar wetland. Its earthen embankments enclose a specialized environment where sonar research and ecological conservation coexist within the wider context of the Thames Valley. This record details the site's boundaries, its function as a wintering bird refuge, and its specialized role in UK marine testing.

Area

2.05 km²

Established

1970

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Dorset Heaths: Protected Lowland Landscapes and Regional Geography in Southern England

A comprehensive look at the Poole Basin heathland mosaic.

Spanning the Poole Basin, the Dorset Heaths offer a distinct geographic profile of acidic sands and diverse ecological mosaics. This protected area includes rare valley mires and coastal dunes, providing a clear window into the natural landscape history and ongoing conservation efforts within southern England's coastal regions.

Area

616.62 km²

Established

1998

Relief

Lowland

Water

Major water bodies

The Needles Natural Monument: Coastal Chalk Geography and Protected Marine Landscapes

Geological formations and chalk headland terrain on the Isle of Wight

The Needles represents a unique geological intersection of vertical chalk strata and maritime history at the edge of the Isle of Wight. This protected area encompasses dramatic sea stacks, clifftop heathland, and critical marine habitats, offering a window into the complex coastal landscape of the English Channel and the regional geology of southern England.

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Access

Easy access

Scope

Mixed

Poole Harbour: Protected Area Geography and Coastal Map of Dorset

Coastal ria landscape and wetland habitat mapping

Poole Harbour stands as a prominent natural feature of the Dorset coast, defined by its shallow waters and varied estuarine terrain. This profile maps the protected landscape, including its salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and islands, offering deep geographic context for this significant southern England wetland.

Area

36 km²

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Access

Easy access