Current mapping methodology

The mapping methodology for the 2024 baseline land use map follows a simplified schema based on aggregated classes of the Australian Land Use and Management (ALUM) Classification. The simplified schema was developed and agreed upon following a review of user needs in 2020. The schema includes the following category labels:

Conservation or protected	Intensive animal production
Defence	Bananas
Minimal use	Trees or grapes
Native forestry	Horticulture other
Plantation forestry	Residential, industrial or utility
Grazing and residual native cover	Mining
Cropping	Water modified
Sugarcane	Water natural

View the table showing the aggregation of ALUM codes assigned to this dataset.

To prepare the baseline land use map for 2024, historical land use mapping was combined with authoritative datasets extracted from the Queensland government spatial portal in mid-2024. ALUM codes from historical mapping were aggregated to the simplified schema of 16 land use classes. Using geographical information systems (GIS) software, this map was overlaid on satellite imagery captured in mid-2024, then manually refined based on image interpretation. This document provides more details about how land use classes are mapped.

Historical mapping methodology

Historical mapping methodology follows the Australian Collaborative Land Use and Management Program, which includes an agreed Australian Land Use and Management (ALUM) Classification. This classification system is a detailed national standard for describing what land is used for —e.g., urban, cropping, grazing, or mining uses. ALUM classifies, following a hierarchical structure, the level of intervention in the landscape. ALUM classification groups land use classes into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. It is based on a classification developed by Baxter and Russell (1994) for the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and has since been revised and refined in a series of national reviews.

ALUM has a 3-level hierarchical structure, with 6 primary classes. Within these, 5 are identified in order of increasing levels of modification of the natural landscape. Water is included separately as the sixth primary class. Primary and secondary levels relate to land use (the principal use of the land in terms of the land manager). The tertiary level includes data on commodities or vegetation (for example, crops such as cereals and oil seeds). Where required and possible, attribution is performed to the tertiary level.

ALUM Classification Version 8 (October 2016) (PDF, 2 MB) includes attribute fields to collect commodity and land management practice observations. These fields allow consistent recording of more detailed information about crops, livestock and management techniques which can be determined at the time of mapping. This information allows further distinction within a land use class such as separating tree fruits into bananas and mangoes. It is also particularly useful in responding to or preparing for biosecurity incidents.

Land uses are difficult to differentiate. Distinct types of crops could look similar in satellite imagery and image interpreters may not be able to discern, for example, between fruits and cereals. To overcome this, feedback from stakeholders and expert knowledge are critical in supporting the mapping methodology. Feedback is provided by regional staff in state government agencies, natural resource management groups, agricultural industries, and landholders. Fieldwork is also undertaken to verify areas of uncertainty in the land use mapping.

More information

See the full methodology in the Guidelines for land use mapping in Australia: principles, procedures and definitions on the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences website.