Source
https://lrp.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/key-documents/luc-handbook — original source (opens in a new tab; the file is not redistributed)
LUC Handbook 3rd ed (Lynn et al. 2009) — NZ Land Use Capability classification
Resolves RT_325 — the verified primary behind CR_052's RT_315 rule + the engine's arable cap
The definitive NZ Land Use Capability reference (Landcare Research / AgResearch / GNS Science, 164 pp). Verifies the arable-vs-non-arable class split the model encodes as
arable_pct_luc13/pastoral_pct_luc46. Read verbatim via pdftotext.
Summary
The authoritative handbook for classifying NZ land into the 8-class Land Use Capability (LUC) system. Its load-bearing statement for Neobiome: LUC Classes 1–4 are suitable for arable cropping (incl. vegetable/horticulture), pastoral grazing, tree crop and forestry; Classes 5–7 are NOT suitable for arable cropping (pastoral grazing / tree crop / production forestry only); Class 8 is conservation-only. This is the source-anchor for the RT_315 legume-grain land-class rule (CR_052) and for the engine’s LUC-based arable/pastoral land split.
Key claims
- claim: "LUC class suitability (verbatim): 'LUC Classes 1 to 4 are suitable for arable cropping (including vegetable cropping), horticultural (including vineyards and berry fields), pastoral grazing, tree crop or production forestry use. Classes 5 to 7 are not suitable for arable cropping but are suitable for pastoral grazing, tree crop or production forestry use.' Class 6 land 'is not suitable for arable use' (slight–moderate limitations; some may be cultivated in places but not for sustainable arable cropping); Class 7 'unsuitable for arable use… severe physical limitations'; Class 8 conservation-only."
source_location: "LUC class definitions (pdftotext lines 399–402; Class 6 line 3323/3356; Class 7 line 3406)"Neobiome Intelligence relevance
Resolves RT_325 — the verified Landcare/AgResearch/GNS primary behind CR_052’s RT_315 verdict and the engine’s arable cap. Confirms the LUC 1–3 arable / LUC 5–7 non-arable split the engine encodes (arable_pct_luc13 / pastoral_pct_luc46), so harvestable pulse grain (OT_088 faba, legume_protein_kg_ha) is correctly restricted to the arable budget (AF-41). The Class-6 nuance (“some may be cultivated but not for sustainable arable cropping”) reinforces the “screened LUC 4 only” caveat — don’t treat marginal land as croppable by default. Feeds D02.
Research targets
Research gaps
- None new. (RT_315 settled by CR_052 + this primary; RT_291 pulse-yield and RT_326 OLW Six Star remain the food-domain follow-ons.)
Connections
Links to
EDT domains (1): D02: Smart Food Systems & Agriculture
Referenced by
Sources (4): OT_108 · OT_164 · OT_168 · REG_009
EDT domains (1): D02: Smart Food Systems & Agriculture
Concepts (1): Regulatory Consenting for Off-Grid Communities…