ALCR09492: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for England and Wales

England and Wales agricultural land classification data from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and reports, with land graded according to the methodology described in "Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales." It is provided by Natural England and contains Ordnance Survey data.

Use Cases

• Assess historical agricultural land quality based on the detailed grading methodology.
• Analyze spatial patterns of land capability using the scanned survey maps.
• Correlate soil pit descriptions and sample point data with land classification grades where available.

Strengths

• Based on a defined grading methodology described in an official publication.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer detail.
• Contains original survey materials like scanned maps and reports for individual sites.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with soil analysis, mapping, and reporting.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

England and Wales (specific survey sites)