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

Original paper maps and survey reports for the Fordham site, detailing Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) grades including the subdivision of Grade 3 into 3a and 3b. The data was collected by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999, using the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. Some surveys also include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify land for agricultural potential based on detailed soil survey reports and maps.
• Analyze soil quality variations at specific sites using unedited sample point data and pit descriptions.
• Model historical land use suitability for policy or research based on the 1989-1999 survey period.
• Integrate detailed land grade maps (scales 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) into geographic information systems.

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Original survey data spans a defined 10-year period from 1989 to 1999.
• Some surveys contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Map scales vary from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, indicating inconsistent levels of detail across sites.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (UK), provided via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil mapping and analysis, following the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data is from 1989-1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Fordham, Fordham House site in England and Wales (specific location implied by survey name).