ALCL02095: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Belford, 1989-1999

Belford, England, is the subject of this detailed post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey. The dataset contains scanned original paper maps and survey reports from site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, using the grading methodology from the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. For some surveys, it also includes 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 soil characteristics and quality for specific sites using the available unedited sample point data and pit descriptions.
• Map land use suitability for farming at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 based on the scanned original survey maps.
• Study historical changes in land classification and soil data for the period between 1989 and 1999.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, an authoritative source.
• Surveys use the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' grading methodology, including subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Includes scanned original paper maps and reports, preserving the primary survey detail.

Limitations

• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with soil analysis, mapping, and reporting.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection occurred between 1989 and 1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Belford (Berwick B.W.L.P. Site 8), England