Agricultural Land Classification detailed Post 1988 survey ALCC04497

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food detail the agricultural land quality for the Oakham area in South East England. The data, collected between 1989 and 1999, uses the official grading methodology and includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b. Unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available for some of these detailed site surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify historical agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability for specific sites based on the available unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Digitize and integrate historical paper map classifications into modern GIS systems for longitudinal land use studies.
• Compare land quality subgrades (3a and 3b) within the Grade 3 classification for regional agricultural planning.

Strengths

• Data collection adheres to the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Original survey materials (scanned maps and reports) provide primary source fidelity.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, indicating inconsistent spatial detail.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government agricultural experts, with results recorded on paper maps and in reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Oakham, South East England