Washingborough Fen: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data for Washingborough Fen, collected by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports, with soil grading following the methodology described in 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'. Some surveys also contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on detailed soil survey reports and grading methodology.
• Analyze spatial patterns of soil quality and subgrades (e.g., 3a, 3b) using scanned survey maps.
• Model land use suitability for farming based on historical soil pit descriptions and point data.

Strengths

• Data follows a defined national grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for more granular analysis.
• Contains original survey materials (scanned maps and reports) from a defined 1989-1999 collection period.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF), provided via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil mapping and analysis, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collected between 1989 and 1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Washingborough Fen, England, United Kingdom