Agricultural Land Classification: Detailed Post-1988 Survey Maps and Reports

Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site survey data includes scanned original paper maps and survey reports for individual sites. The data was surveyed in detail between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, using a grading methodology that subdivides Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b. Some surveys also include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land quality based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil data and land capability for specific sites based on the available soil pit descriptions and sample point data.
• Map land-use suitability for planning purposes using the scanned geospatial maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000.

Strengths

• Data follows a standardized grading methodology as described in the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' publication.
• Includes detailed subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer granularity.
• Some surveys contain supplementary unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data is derived from scanned original paper maps and reports, which may introduce digitization artifacts.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England (copyright), Ordnance Survey (base data).

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999, with results captured in paper maps and reports later scanned.

Time Range

Surveyed between 1989 and 1999.

Freshness

null

Geography

Site-specific, example given is Seamer Junction (Scarborough L.P. Sites H7 (Pos 8)), likely in England.