Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for individual sites surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999, with Grade 3 subdivided into subgrades 3a and 3b. Surveys follow the grading methodology described in the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication, and some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Map agricultural land quality based on detailed site surveys and grading methodology.
• Analyze soil characteristics based on available sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Compare land classification grades, including subgrades 3a and 3b, across surveyed sites.
• Integrate historical land classification maps with current geospatial data for land-use change analysis.

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, providing finer detail.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the surveyed sites in England and Wales.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (surveyed), Natural England (copyright holder).

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, with results captured in scanned original paper maps and reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Survey sites in England and Wales, specifically referenced as 'North and South of Mill Lane Broadland DC Rural Parish Policies (LP)'.