Land Use Classification
The Australian Land Use and Management (ALUM) Classification (version 6) provides a nationally consistent system for collecting and presenting land use information.
The ALUM Classification has five primary levels of land use distinguished in order of generally increasing levels of intervention or potential impact on the natural landscape.
Water is included as the sixth primary class because of its importance for natural resources management and the significance of water features as points of reference in the landscape.
Conservation and Natural Environments - Class 1Land used primarily for conservation purposes or land uses with minimal impact, based on the maintenance of the essentially natural ecosystems present. Examples include Gregory or Kakadu National Parks, and many areas of Aboriginal Land.
Production from relatively natural environments - Class 2
Land used primarily for primary production based on limited change to the native vegetation. Examples include pastoralism on native vegetation.
Production from dry land agriculture and plantations - Class 3
Land used mainly for primary production, based on dry land farming systems. For example, pastoralism on improve pastures
Production from irrigated agriculture and plantations - Class 4
Land used mostly for primary production based on irrigated farming. Examples include irrigated mangoes and vegetables and broad scale centre pivot crops.
Intensive uses - Class 5
Land subject to extensive modification, generally in association with closer residential settlement, commercial or industrial uses.
Water - Class 6
Water features. Water is regarded as an essential aspect of the classification, but it is primarily a cover type. For example Darwin River Dam
