- About the Defra Data Services Platform (DSP)
- Registering: Who can register on the Defra Data Services Platform (DSP)
- Registering: How to create an account on Defra Data Services Platform (DSP)
- Searching for Data on the Defra Data Services Platform (DSP)
- Searching: Why is my search taking a long time to return results?
- Metadata: Understanding information provided with each Defra Data Services Platform (DSP) dataset
- Metadata: Understanding the metadata dates displayed for datasets on the Defra Data Services Platform (DSP) and Data.Gov.Uk
- Downloading Data by Area of Interest
- Downloading Survey Data
- Downloading Data as a Contractor
- Downloading Large Datasets
- Web Services: Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards
- Web Services: How do I use Web Feature Service (WFS) layers?
- Web Services: Why is my existing Web Feature Service (WFS) request no longer returning any features?
- Web Services: Why can’t I see any layers listed underneath the WMS I have added in QGIS?
- Web Services: I am using a BBOX request when adding my Web Feature Service (WFS) to a map but it's still drawing all the features
- Web Services: Why do I get an error message when loading WMS or WFS data?
- Web Services: I have confirmed I am using the correct typeName, but I’m still not seeing any features in my map?
- Why clearing cache in a browser is important and how to do it
Web Services: Why do I get an error message when loading WMS or WFS data?
Created: 11 February 2019 Updated: 12 May 2023
Web Map Services (WMS) and Web Feature Services (WFS) are data feeds that provide geographic data directly into your Geographic Information System (GIS) software without the need for you to download the data itself.
The link to a WMS or WFS service looks like an internet URL (web address), but it does not work in the same way. To use a WMS or WFS feed, you will need to copy this URL into your GIS software.
If you try to open a WMS or WFS URL in an internet browser, it will not work, and an error message will appear "Query Parameters must include request"
Query Parameters must include Request
or
"The webpage cannot be found"
To view the WMS or WFS information in a browser, you need to complete the link with a query parameter statement, like this one:
?REQUEST=GetCapabilities&SERVICE=WMS - for WMS services
?REQUEST=GetCapabilities&SERVICE=WFS - for WFS services