ALCR08598: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for Elmfield, Westridge Farm

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data for Elmfield, Westridge Farm on the Isle of Wight. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It uses the grading methodology from 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' and may include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classifying agricultural land quality based on the official ALC grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyzing soil characteristics and land capability for specific sites using the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Mapping land use potential at varying scales (from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) based on the scanned original survey maps.
• Studying the subdivision of Grade 3 agricultural land into subgrades 3a and 3b for more detailed land assessment.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) between 1989 and 1999.
• Surveys use a defined and referenced grading methodology ('Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales').
• Includes scanned original paper maps and reports, preserving the primary survey records.
• For some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are available, providing raw observational data.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, which limits suitability assessment for specific analytical tasks.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect temporal and geographic bias inherent to the specific survey period (1989-1999) and location (Isle of Wight).

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed agricultural land classification site surveys, with data from scanned original paper maps and reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Geography

Elmfield, Westridge Farm, Isle of Wight, England, United Kingdom