ALCR03193: Post-1988 Agricultural Land Classification 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 the grading methodology from the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines. Some surveys also include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Use Cases

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

Strengths

• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing more detailed classification.
• Original survey maps are available at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, typically 1:10,000.
• Data collection was conducted by the authoritative Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

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 geographic and temporal bias inherent to the specific survey period (1989-1999) and sites.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys involving soil analysis and mapping, following the 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' methodology.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey period is 1989-1999; last update date is unknown.

Geography

England, specific to surveyed sites such as Worting (Site 16 Basingstoke LP).