Agricultural Land Classification: Detailed Site Surveys 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Measham, Tamworth Road site. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and reports from detailed surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, using the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. It contains unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions for some surveys, with maps at scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and limitations for specific sites using the unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Map land quality variations at a local scale using the scanned original maps, which subdivide Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.

Strengths

• Uses the established 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' grading methodology.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for more granular analysis.
• Contains original scanned maps and reports, preserving the detail of the primary survey work.

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 temporal and geographic bias inherent to the specific site and 1989-1999 survey period.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with soil analysis, mapped on paper at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data is from 1989-1999; last update date for the digital record is unknown.

Geography

Measham, Tamworth Road site (England, United Kingdom)