ALCL12991: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The data classifies agricultural land quality, subdividing Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, and includes unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions for some surveys. Natural England holds the copyright, and the data incorporates Ordnance Survey information.

Use Cases

• Classifying agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyzing soil characteristics and variability based on the unedited sample point and soil pit data.
• Mapping historical land quality for land-use change studies based on the scanned geospatial maps.
• Comparing land classification subgrades (3a and 3b) for regional agricultural planning.

Strengths

• Data is based on detailed site surveys conducted by a government ministry (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food).
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer granularity.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Maps were created at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, which may affect consistency and detail.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England (copyright holder).

Collection Method

Detailed agricultural land classification site surveys, with results recorded on paper maps and reports that were later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

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

Geography

England and Wales (implied by the referenced grading methodology document)