ALCC03894: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data for individual sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports, with soil grades subdivided into subgrades 3a and 3b, and some surveys also contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. It is provided by Natural England and contains Ordnance Survey data.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on detailed soil survey reports and grading methodology.
• Analyze historical land quality trends for specific sites based on survey data from 1989 to 1999.
• Integrate soil pit descriptions and point data for soil science research and modeling.
• Assess land-use suitability for planning purposes using geospatial maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Strengths

• Surveys use the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Some surveys contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect temporal and geographic bias inherent to the 1989-1999 survey period and selected sites.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Natural England; Ordnance Survey.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, producing original paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Individual survey sites in England and Wales, including the 'Bingham, RAF Newton' site.