Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data includes scanned original paper maps and reports for detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The data covers specific sites in England and Wales, mapping land grades from 1 to 3, with Grade 3 subdivided into 3a and 3b, using the 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 agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil characteristics and land quality using the available unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Map land use suitability for planning or environmental impact assessments based on the geospatial survey maps.
• Study changes in land classification over a defined period using surveys from 1989 to 1999.

Strengths

• Data follows a defined national grading methodology as described in 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Some surveys contain supplementary unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, column names, and file formats are unknown, which may limit 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; Natural England.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with scanned original paper maps and reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data covers surveys from 1989 to 1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Specific sites in England and Wales (e.g., Measham, Minorca Opencast Coal Site, Bosworth Rd).