Grazing Land Management land type mapping

The Grazing Land Management (GLM) land type mapping is the spatial representation of Land types of Queensland as described by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). Grazing land types are mapped across Queensland by associating Regional Ecosystems spatial data to each GLM land type.

GLM land type spatial data represents our best understanding of where grazing land types are located in Queensland. Land types describe an area of grazing land that has characteristic patterns of soil, vegetation and landform that are easily recognisable by landholders in a region. Identifying what and where land types occur can help a grazier manage their cattle numbers, types and location to make the most of their pastures while maintaining or improving land condition and biodiversity.

Improved GLM land type mapping

The update from land type V3 (published in 2010), to the improved V6.1 (published in 2021), and now V7, (published 2022) has been a collaborative effort between DAF and Department of Environment and Science involving an extensive review, development of new approaches, and validation with regional experts to create the best land type spatial layer for government and public use.  The latest land type spatial data incorporates the current Regional Ecosystems data with new techniques that use information from agricultural climate zones and grass-type production to improve the accuracy of mapped GLM land types across Queensland.

Uses of GLM land type mapping?

Land type mapping is extensively used by DAF in a suite of extension programs (GLM EDGE training packages, Stocktake), for property mapping, assessing land condition information (VegMachine) and bio-economic modelling. GLM land type spatial data is also a key input in the FORAGE grazing decision support tool available on the Long Paddock website that provides information to assist land managers in grazing and environmental management decisions.

Access GLM land type spatial data

The latest improved GLM land type spatial data is now available for GIS users to download from the publicly-accessible QSpatial website.

Version History

  • GLM land type mapping V3 2010
  • GLM land type mapping V5.4 2020 (General, Mitchell Grass Downs, Southern Gulf, Mulga)
  • GLM land type mapping V6.1 January 2021 (Inland & Coastal Burnett, Mary, Burdekin, Desert Uplands)
  • GLM land type mapping V7 June 2022 (Darling Downs, Maranoa Balonne, Border Rivers, Mackay Whitsunday, Wet Tropics)

Feedback

GLM land types of Queensland mapping will continue to be revised and validated as required to include any spatial data updates, additional land types or feedback.

Users can provide feedback on the mapping by emailing: GLM_Landtype_map@daf.qld.gov.au

Contact:

For more information about the GLM land type mapping, please contact Chris Holloway, email: Christopher.Holloway@daf.qld.gov.au.

This work has been funded by Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program and Reef 4-year collaborative DES/DAF ‘Inside Edge for graziers to adapt to Queensland’s drought-prone climate’ project.

The improved GLM land type mapping has built on the original work completed by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.