Land use mapping methodology
Mapping is performed in accordance with the Australian Collaborative Land Use Mapping Program (ACLUMP) which includes and agreed national land use classification scheme (PDF)*. The methodology is accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and makes best use of available databases, satellite imagery and aerial photos.
Some land uses are difficult to differentiate using only satellite imagery and existing databases, for example irrigated crops from irrigated vegetables or grazing (for beef) from dairies. To overcome this, local expert knowledge has become an important component of the mapping methodology. This is provided by regional staff in state government agencies, natural resource management groups, shires, agricultural industries and landholders. Field survey is also undertaken to verify areas of uncertainty in the land use mapping.
The methods QLUMP apply to mapping land use are described in full in the ABARES handbook: Guidelines for Land Use Mapping in Australia: Principals, Procedure & Definitions – Edition 4 which can be accessed and downloaded from the ABARES website.
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Last updated 16 May 2012
