Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Detailed Site Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Ramsey and Bury sites, collected by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, and for some surveys, unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions. Maps were created at scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, using the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point data and soil pit descriptions.
• Integrate historical land classification maps with modern GIS layers for land-use change analysis.
• Train models to predict land quality subgrades (e.g., 3a vs 3b) based on soil survey attributes.

Strengths

• Includes original scanned maps and reports, preserving methodological detail.
• Surveys use a defined and referenced grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• For some sites, includes raw, unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.
• Provides subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer granularity.

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 (UK), via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil mapping and analysis, following a standardized classification methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection period is 1989-1999; last update status is unknown.

Geography

Ramsey and Bury sites in England, United Kingdom.