Land classification and designation

why do you need to classify land?

identify quality and location,

control,

management,

distribution of grant,

how do the means of classifying land link?

they overlap as land could fall into multiple sections

why do we need to be able to control land classification?

so that diseases can be controlled and outbreaks can be prevented or managed

what’s identified when trying to classify land?

• what’s for sale,

• occupier,

• boundaries

what does SSSI stand for?

sites of special scientific interest

what had to happen in the year 2000?

all livestock were slaughtered to control foot and mouth. land was identified for control purposes

in 2023/24 what was put in place in response to bluetongue virus?

a temporary control zone in North East Kent on 4.12.23

an extended temporary control zone near Cantley, Broadland, Norfolk in 27.01.24

what are soil nutrient maps used for?

precision farming and variable rate application

what can designation be a result of?

• statutory obligations,

• voluntary agreements,

• ‘conferring a status on land’

what does classification do?

confer a description on land

what terms are often interchangeable?

designation and classification

but designation is often of a status

what are the 4 principles of classification?

1. clear objectives (its purpose),

2. summarise data,

3. interpret data,

4. application over wide area,

what’s an example of a direct evaluation process?

measurement by trial such as a soil survey

can look at soil, soil pH or samples

what’s an example of an indirect evaluation process?

an interpretative process

looking at what’s in field from looking at an image or by walking into a field

what do indirect evaluation processes often arise from?

the direct evaluation of a sample

what do categoric systems do?

allow land to be categorised and when it changes from one to another, such as from forest to grassland

what land is placed in subjective categories?

less favoured areas,

AONB (areas of outstanding natural beauty)

SSSI (site of special scientific interest)

what are parametric systems?

modification within category such as from rainfed to cultivated

what are examples of measurements that determine criteria?

• objective 1,2,3 European Union,

• soil type,

• altitude,

what are examples of classification?

• national geological survey,

• soil survey,

• SSSI,

• EU structural funds,

• less favoured area,

• green belts,

• open access,

is a soil pH map categoric or parametric, and indirect or direct?

parametric and direct

are protected sites in Wales categoric or parametric, and direct or indirect?

categoric and indirect

is open access land categoric or parametric, and direct or indirect?

categoric and indirect

is EU structural funds categoric or parametric, and direct or indirect?

parametric and indirect

what are 3 examples of statutory designations?

• national parks,

• world heritage sites,

• conservation areas,

what are 3 examples of voluntary/discretionary designations?

• forest parks,

• regional parks,

• biosphere reserves,

what are many designations related to?

the environment

what is the LCA?

land capability for agriculture which is a Scotland specific system