Agricultural Land Classification Survey: Wokingham, Eastheath (1989-1999)

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

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical land quality changes based on survey data collected between 1989 and 1999.
• Integrate soil pit descriptions and point data for detailed soil property analysis where available.
• Map land classification grades, including the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (MAFF) between 1989 and 1999.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into more detailed subgrades 3a and 3b.
• Some surveys provide supplementary unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Data consists of scanned original paper maps and reports, which may require digitization for modern GIS workflows.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, leading to potential inconsistencies in detail.
• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), provided via Natural England and the Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Detailed agricultural land classification site surveys, following a specific published grading methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Geography

Wokingham, Eastheath, England