Buckden Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Detailed Soil and Land Grade Maps

The Buckden, Margetts Farm survey is part of the Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It includes scanned original paper maps and reports for sites surveyed between 1989 and 1999, using the grading methodology from the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. For some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the official ALC grading methodology described in the dataset.
• Analyze soil characteristics and subgrade variations (e.g., 3a vs 3b) using the available soil pit descriptions and point data.
• Integrate historical land classification maps into modern GIS systems for longitudinal land-use studies.
• Assess regional soil quality for environmental impact studies or agricultural development planning.

Strengths

• Data is based on the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology, providing a standardized grading system.
• Includes detailed subdivisions within Grade 3 (subgrades 3a and 3b) for finer-grained analysis.
• Original survey maps and reports are preserved, offering historical context and methodological transparency.

Limitations

• Row count, column names, and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data is derived from scanned paper maps created between 1989 and 1999, which may affect digital accuracy and ease of use.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England and Ordnance Survey (copyright).

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government agencies, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Buckden, Margetts Farm (specific site in England)