Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:27 PM AWST

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Collect and classify plants

Collect and classify plants

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCPCM502A
State Code
D7152
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/06/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/10/2014
Field of Education
010903 - Botany
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the process of collecting and identifying plants using taxonomic keys and the preserving of plant specimens and defines the standard required to: collect plant specimens; note the location, characteristics and occurrence of specimens at the point of collection; clean, preserve, mount and label plant specimens; use a plant key to identify plants against the botanical description of the species; label preserved specimens.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for plant collecting
  • 1.1. Purpose and objectives for collecting range of plants is confirmed.
  • 1.2. Area, location and/or habitat for collecting are defined.
  • 1.3. Resources to assist in plant location and identification are determined and prepared.
  • 1.4. Equipment required for collecting and preserving specimens is determined and prepared.
  • 1.5. Licences and/or permission to collect specimens are sought from landowner or managing agency.
  • 1.6. Range of likely operating conditions, hazards and difficult/sensitive environments are assessed for impact on collecting and preserving specimens.
  • 1.7. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with plant collecting are identified.
2. Collect plant specimens
  • 2.1. Collecting ethics are observed when selecting specimens for picking.
  • 2.2. Relevant information about the specimen, its characteristics and occurrence is entered into a field note book and location coordinates are noted.
  • 2.3. Specimen collected provides adequate material for identification and preserving.
  • 2.4. Specimens are correctly tagged and stored for later identification.
  • 2.5. Appropriate OHS legislative requirements and work practices are followed.
3. Preserve specimens
  • 3.1. Preservation of specimen is undertaken while still fresh.
  • 3.2. Specimen is cleaned and prepared for preserving according to enterprise guidelines.
  • 3.3. Preserving of specimen carried out using either pressing or drying techniques.
  • 3.4. Dried specimen is mounted and labelled with accurate information from notebook.
4. Identify plant specimen
  • 4.1. Resources are identified and accessed to assist in identification.
  • 4.2. The basic characteristics of a plant are identified and documented.
  • 4.3. Relevant plant key is used to identify plant.
  • 4.4. Plant identity is confirmed against botanical description of species.
  • 4.5. Plant identity is documented on label according to enterprise guidelines.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Information to be recorded for each specimen may include:
information that identifies the particular specimen
information that describes the plant
information that outlines the location of the plant specimen
information that describes the ecological characteristics of the area.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
collect plant specimens
note the location, characteristics and occurrence of specimens at the point of collection
clean, preserve, mount and label plant specimens
use a plant key to identify plants against the botanical description of the species
label preserved specimens.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S2768 RTC5011A Collect and classify plants Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAN94 AHCPCM502 Collect and classify plants Unit of competency