Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Andover Down Farm, 1989-1999

Andover Down Farm survey data from the UK's Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) program. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and reports for sites surveyed in detail 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 contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability based on the unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.
• Map historical land use and agricultural potential based on the scanned original paper maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
• Compare land grades over time by using the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.

Strengths

• Includes detailed subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer granularity.
• Based on the established grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication.
• Contains original survey materials, including scanned maps and reports, preserving methodological detail.

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; published via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted by government agricultural experts, with results captured in paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection period is 1989-1999; recency of digital publication is unknown.

Geography

Andover Down Farm, England, United Kingdom