Austerfield Agricultural Land Classification Survey with Soil Data, 1989-1999

Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Austerfield, Riddings Lane site, collected by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, and for some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. It uses the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.

Use Cases

• Classifying agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyzing soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Mapping land quality at a local scale using the scanned maps, which range from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 in detail.
• Comparing land grades over time for sites surveyed in the post-1988 period, including the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.

Strengths

• Includes detailed subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer granularity.
• Contains multiple data types: scanned maps, reports, and for some surveys, raw soil sample point data.
• Based on a defined and referenced grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Maps provide varying levels of detail, with scales ranging from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data is derived from scanned original paper maps and reports, which may require digitization for computational analysis.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, producing paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

Austerfield, Riddings Lane site in England, United Kingdom.