ALCR03992: Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Faringdon, Baulking Quarry

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Faringdon, Baulking Quarry site. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports created by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. It uses the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' report and may contain unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed ALC grading methodology described.
• Analyze soil characteristics and quality for specific sites using the available sample point and soil pit data.
• Map land use suitability for planning or environmental impact assessments based on the geospatial survey maps.
• Study historical land quality trends in England using surveys from the 1989-1999 period.

Strengths

• Original survey maps and reports from a government ministry (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food).
• Surveys use a defined national grading methodology as described in the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' report.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for more detailed analysis.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Natural England.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with maps and reports, scanned from original paper documents.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Faringdon, Baulking Quarry, England