ALCC04296: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for England and Wales

England and Wales agricultural land classification data from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports, with land graded according to the methodology described in "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales." Some surveys also include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality for planning based on the detailed grading methodology.
• Analyze soil characteristics and suitability based on available sample point soils data.
• Map land use potential at varying scales based on the scanned maps from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
• Compare land grades over time based on surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999.

Strengths

• Survey data uses the current grading methodology as described in the official "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales" publication.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for more granular analysis.
• Original scanned maps and reports provide primary source material.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

Natural England and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

England and Wales (specific surveyed sites)