Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Sittingbourne, Kent (1989-1999)
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Description
Kent, England, is the focus of this detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey. It contains scanned original paper maps and survey reports for the Sittingbourne, Hempsted House site, produced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The data includes soil point data and pit descriptions for some surveys, using the grading methodology that subdivides Grade 3 into 3a and 3b.
Use Cases
Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
Analyze soil characteristics and quality for specific sites using the unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
Map land-use suitability for planning and development using the georeferenced, scanned survey maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
Study historical land classification changes in Kent by comparing this post-1988 survey data with other temporal datasets.
Strengths
Uses the established grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'.
Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for more granular analysis.
Contains original, detailed survey materials like scanned maps and reports for a specific site.
Some surveys are supplemented with unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
Limitations
Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
Source
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England and Ordnance Survey (copyright).
Collection Method
Detailed site surveys conducted by government agricultural experts, with results recorded on paper maps and reports later scanned.
Time Range
1989 to 1999
Freshness
Survey data is from 1989-1999; update frequency for the digital archive is unknown.