Barnsdale Bar Extension: Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Scanned paper maps and survey reports for detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The data includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, and for some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, typically 1:10,000.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical agricultural land quality based on detailed soil classification grades.
• Map land-use suitability for farming based on the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Study soil characteristics and variability based on available unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Strengths

• Survey data uses the current grading methodology described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication.
• Includes detailed subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Maps were created at high detail, with scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to surveys conducted only between 1989 and 1999.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service

Collection Method

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Barnsdale Bar Extension survey area (likely in England and Wales)