Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Easingwold Site with Soil Data (1989-1999)

Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Easingwold, Back Lane site, collected by the 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 "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales," subdividing Grade 3 into 3a and 3b.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on detailed soil survey reports and maps.
• Analyze soil characteristics and limitations for specific sites using unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Model historical land quality trends for regions surveyed between 1989 and 1999.
• Validate or supplement modern land classification systems with legacy detailed survey data.

Strengths

• Original detailed survey data collected by a government ministry (MAFF) over a defined 10-year period.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into more precise subgrades 3a and 3b.
• For some surveys, provides raw, unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; data is historical (1989-1999) and freshness is unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales (1:5,000 to 1:50,000), which may affect consistency and detail.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, following the "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales" methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Historical data from 1989-1999; last update unknown.

Geography

Easingwold, Back Lane (Hambleton L.P. Site 034N), England