Tongham Manor Farm: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey

Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) detailed survey data for the Tongham Manor Farm site. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and reports from detailed surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It uses the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines and may contain unedited soil sample point data and pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality based on the official grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil characteristics and land suitability based on available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map land grade subdivisions, including the 3a and 3b subgrades, using the scanned geospatial maps.
• Study land use change over time by comparing this detailed survey data with more recent classifications.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (MAFF) between 1989 and 1999.
• Surveys use the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• May contain supplementary unedited soil sample point data and soil pit descriptions for some surveys.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), provided via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed on-site agricultural land classification surveys, with results recorded on paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

Surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999.

Freshness

null

Geography

Tongham, Manor Farm site in England; mapping scales range from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.