ALCC10594: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Surveys 1989-1999
1files
Available on 1 platform
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Description
Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data from detailed surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The collection includes scanned original paper maps and reports for individual sites, with mapping scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 and some surveys containing unedited soil point data and pit descriptions. It is provided by the Government Digital Service and uses the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
Use Cases
Classify agricultural land quality for planning applications based on the detailed ALC grading system.
Analyze historical soil characteristics and variability based on the available unedited sample point soils data.
Map land capability for agriculture at a site-specific scale based on the scanned original maps at 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 detail.
Study changes in land classification methodology and application based on the Post-1988 survey period and referenced guidelines.
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 more granular detail for moderate quality land.
Contains original scanned maps and reports, preserving the detail of surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999.
Limitations
Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
Source
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Government Digital Service (platform).
Collection Method
Detailed site surveys producing paper maps and reports, later scanned.
Time Range
1989 to 1999
Freshness
Surveys were conducted between 1989 and 1999; the dataset's last update is unknown.
Geography
Individual sites in England and Wales (e.g., Chesterfield, Sheepbridge Landfill Site).