ALCL09196: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data includes scanned original paper maps and reports for individual sites. Surveys were conducted in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, using a methodology that subdivides Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b. The data, provided by Natural England, contains unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability using the unedited sample point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map historical land quality for planning or environmental impact assessments based on the scanned geospatial survey maps.

Strengths

• Original survey data collected by a government ministry (MAFF) between 1989 and 1999.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 agricultural land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Contains supplementary unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions for some sites.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, indicating potential inconsistency in detail.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF); provided by Natural England.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys producing paper maps and reports, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Historical data from surveys conducted 1989-1999; update frequency unknown.

Geography

England and Wales (specific site: Bridge End, Ferry Road, Tynedale District)