ALCC03196: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for England and Wales

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The data uses the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' report and includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b. Some surveys also contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify historical agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil composition and characteristics for specific sites based on available unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Map land quality changes over time by comparing post-1988 survey data with other temporal datasets.
• Assess site-specific land suitability for agricultural planning using the original mapped grades at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Strengths

• Data collection follows a defined national methodology described in 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Some surveys contain supplementary unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Data is derived from scanned original paper maps and reports, which may introduce digitization artifacts.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with soil analysis, mapped onto paper plans.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Individual survey sites in England and Wales (e.g., Lakenheath Fen Reserve).