ALCR04597: Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Original paper maps and survey reports from detailed agricultural land classification surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The data covers the Princes Risborough, West (Wycombe DLP) area and includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b. Unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil quality variations using the unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Map land use suitability for planning or conservation based on the detailed subgrade classifications (3a, 3b).
• Study historical land quality for longitudinal analysis using surveys from the 1989-1999 period.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food).
• Surveys use a specific, documented grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Includes high-detail mapping at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:10,000 for individual sites.

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, being collected between 1989 and 1999.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England and Ordnance Survey (copyright).

Collection Method

Detailed field surveys with original paper maps and reports, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Princes Risborough, West (Wycombe DLP), England