Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Original paper maps and survey reports for detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The data includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, following the methodology described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. Some surveys also contain unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on detailed soil survey reports.
• Analyze historical land quality trends for specific sites based on the 1989-1999 survey period.
• Train models to predict land grade using soil pit descriptions and point data where available.
• Integrate historical ALC grades with modern land-use maps for change detection.

Strengths

• Based on the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b for finer detail.
• Contains original survey maps and reports for individual sites.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Data may reflect temporal and geographic bias inherent to the 1989-1999 survey period.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (UK), Natural England, Ordnance Survey.

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with scanned original paper maps and reports.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

null

Geography

England and Wales (specific site: Leadgate, Burnhouse)