ALCR09788: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey for North Bersted

North Bersted survey data from the Post 1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) program. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey 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 includes soil data and pit descriptions for some surveys.

Use Cases

• Classify historical agricultural land quality based on the Grade 3 subdivision into 3a and 3b.
• Analyze soil characteristics and variability based on unedited sample point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map land capability at varying scales (from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) for regional planning studies.
• Study changes in land classification methodology by comparing data to the referenced grading system guidelines.

Strengths

• Data follows the established grading methodology described in 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales'.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for more detailed analysis.
• Contains original scanned maps and reports, preserving the survey's primary documentation.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving mapping and soil analysis, with results compiled into paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Data collection occurred between 1989 and 1999; last update status is unknown.

Geography

North Bersted, England