Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Hurst Site Maps and Reports (1989-1999)

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey data for the Hurst site in Wokingham. The dataset includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. For some surveys, unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions are also available.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze soil characteristics and subgrade divisions for Grade 3 land using the available point soils data and pit descriptions.
• Map land use suitability at varying scales (from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000) for regional planning.
• Study historical land classification practices and soil survey techniques from the late 20th century.

Strengths

• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail.
• Original survey maps and reports are available, offering primary source material.
• 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.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Natural England.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with original paper maps and reports, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data is from 1989-1999; last update date for the dataset is unknown.

Geography

Hurst site in Wokingham, England and Wales.