ALCR06388: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from the Whitfield site provide detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) data collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The surveys use the grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' and include the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b. Some surveys also contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

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 and soil pit description data mentioned for some surveys.
• Map historical land use potential at varying scales (from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) for regional planning studies.
• Train or validate geospatial models for land quality using the scanned original maps and defined land grades.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food).
• Surveys use a defined and referenced grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Some surveys contain additional unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, column names, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Data is historical, covering 1989-1999; last update date is unknown.
• Maps are scanned original paper documents at varying scales, which may affect digital analysis.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Natural England; Ordnance Survey.

Collection Method

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

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Historical data from 1989-1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Individual survey sites in England and Wales (specifically the Whitfield site).