ALCR10293: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Surveys for England and Wales
1files
Available on 1 platform
Sign in to view source links and access this dataset
Description
Post‑1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for individual sites in England and Wales, collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps, survey reports, and for some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions. It uses the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication, with Grade 3 subdivided into subgrades 3a and 3b.
Use Cases
Map historical agricultural land quality based on the detailed ALC grading methodology described in the survey reports.
Analyze soil characteristics and land capability for specific sites using the available unedited sample point and soil pit data.
Compare land classification detail across different survey scales, which range from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.
Support land-use planning decisions by referencing the original, site-specific survey maps and documentation.
Strengths
Data collection follows the established 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology, providing a standardized grading system.
Includes original scanned maps and reports, preserving the detail of historical surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999.
For some surveys, provides unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions, offering raw observational data.
Limitations
Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
Source
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (UK), Natural England, Ordnance Survey.
Collection Method
Detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with results captured in paper maps and reports that were later scanned.
Time Range
1989 to 1999
Geography
Individual survey sites in England and Wales, including the Isle of Sheppey, Barton Hill Road (Swale LP Site 3).