ALCL18593: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports

Scanned original paper maps and survey reports from detailed agricultural land classification surveys conducted between 1989 and 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The surveys grade land quality, including subdivisions of Grade 3 into 3a and 3b, using methodology from the official classification guidelines. Maps are at varying scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, and some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

• Analyze historical agricultural land capability based on detailed soil survey reports
• Map land quality subdivisions (e.g., Grade 3a vs 3b) for regional planning
• Integrate scanned survey maps at varying scales (1:5,000 to 1:50,000) with modern GIS systems
• Study soil characteristics using available unedited sample point data and soil pit descriptions

Strengths

• Original survey data from a defined time period (1989-1999) conducted by a government ministry
• Includes subdivision of Grade 3 land into subgrades 3a and 3b
• Maps provided at varying scales, offering different levels of detail

Limitations

• Row count, column names, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with scanned original paper maps and reports

Time Range

1989-1999

Geography

England and Wales (specific site: Richmond, Darlington Road)