Defra and Cranfield University have opened the comprehensive LandIS soils archive and published a new Predictive ALC map, giving researchers, planners and land managers unrestricted access to crucial data
Public access has arrived for one of the most detailed soil datasets in Europe: the National Soil Map (NATMAP) and related holdings are now freely available through the new LandIS Portal. This release comes from a partnership between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Cranfield University, who have managed the LandIS system for more than two decades.
Making these records open means that the most complete national soil evidence base can now be used without licensing restrictions across research, policy and commercial applications.
Soil underpins food production, biodiversity, carbon storage and water management: as observed by commentators going back to 1978, our reliance on a thin layer of productive earth and rainfall is fundamental.
The UK government’s Land Use Framework and the Environment Improvement Plan both highlight soil as a national asset, and improving access to high-quality data is central to meeting multiple environmental targets. By releasing LandIS publicly, Defra aims to embed soil information more consistently in decision-making at all scales.
What has been released and why it matters
Contents of the LandIS archive
The LandIS repository includes a suite of datasets that range from national overviews to detailed point records: NATMAP Vector (a 1:250,000 map describing more than 300 soil associations), NATMAP Soilscapes (a simplified national map), gridded reclassifications such as NATMAP 1000 and 5000, comprehensive SOILSERIES properties, horizon data detailing the physical and chemical layers of soils, and the National Soil Inventory with point-based chemistry, structure and land-use observations. These holdings build on survey activity dating back to the 1970s and contain data from over 30,000 samples and more than 250,000 observations, making LandIS one of the largest national soil information systems in Europe.
Who can use the data and the expected benefits
Because the datasets have been released restriction free, a wide range of actors can now develop new tools and services: public bodies, academic researchers, private developers, land managers and civil society organisations can all draw on the same evidence base. Practical applications include improved flood risk modelling, more informed land-use planning, enhanced soil health monitoring, and better-targeted conservation or restoration work. The openness is expected to accelerate innovation in decision-support systems and allow more consistent, evidence-driven choices across agriculture, construction, hydrology and climate science.
Updated agricultural land classification and next steps
Alongside the LandIS release, Defra has published a new Predictive Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) map for England which replaces the older provisional version. The updated map uses the best available LandIS data and retains the MAFF 1988 methodology while applying the subdivision of Grade 3 into 3a and 3b; this allows mapping of the Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a). The mapping exercise, updated in 2026, indicates roughly 20% of land moves up by one grade while under 20% moves down; the product is intended for strategic use, not as a substitute for field-scale surveys where planning decisions require detailed assessment.
Limitations, guidance and ongoing review
The published maps and datasets are powerful but come with important caveats: the Predictive ALC has been produced at a scale suitable for high-level planning and targeting rather than parcel-by-parcel determinations, so it should be used to prioritise where to do detailed field-based ALC surveys. Defra is conducting a technical review of the ALC system scheduled for completion in 2028 to incorporate new methods and data streams. In addition, an interim soil health statistic for England has been made available through the JNCC, offering a starting point for tracking progress while more granular monitoring tools are developed.
Opening LandIS into the public domain marks a practical shift in how soil evidence is accessed and applied: it invites wider collaboration, helps target scarce survey resources, and supports more coherent planning for food production, climate mitigation and biodiversity goals. Defra and Cranfield’s joint effort has removed an important barrier to evidence-based land management, and professionals across sectors are now able to build on a single, authoritative source of soil data to inform decisions and innovation.
