ALCC03490: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Ringstead

Ringstead Grange Farm is one of the detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The data includes scanned original paper maps and reports, using a grading methodology that subdivides Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b. Some surveys also contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

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 soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map historical land quality for land-use planning and environmental impact assessments based on the scanned geospatial maps.

Strengths

• Uses the current Agricultural Land Classification grading methodology, which includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into 3a and 3b.
• Contains original, detailed survey materials including maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the 1989-1999 survey period.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving field mapping and soil analysis.

Time Range

Survey conducted between 1989 and 1999.

Freshness

Last updated date is unknown.

Geography

Ringstead, Ringstead Grange Farm (specific location in England).