Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this competency standard. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts.

In which areas might the management of species be relevant?
Park, reserve, community lands or over a wider area, e.g., region, State or National.

What does viability include?
The ability of species to maintain biodiversity and to breed in face of threats.

Which threats may be included in this standard?
Damage to habitats, predators, damage to food sources, fire, unseasonal weather conditions, pests and disease, human presence and interventions (including hunting, killing, injury to species and other actions), habitat loss and fragmentation, and competition with introduced species for food, shelter, sites, etc.

How is genetic diversity determined?
Through research into history of communities in the area under review, field monitoring and assessment, and genetic testing of individuals within populations.

How is the significance of local population assessed?
In terms of overall population, viability of populations and habitats and its genetic diversity.

How is the local environment impacted?
By population expansion or contraction through other species of flora and fauna, soils, water and land forms.

How is the condition of the environment determined?
By an assessment of its natural integrity, habitats, ecosystem diversity, species diversity, community diversity and viability, earth processes and succession.

How might the plan of management be defined?
By internal memos, letters or reports, or by formal report and funding submissions.

What forms of records may be included?
Records of observations, formal reporting documents, electronic databases and records, incident reports and formal progress reports.

Who might be the stakeholders relevant to this standard?
The enterprise managing place or area, Government agency with management responsibility for place or area or legislative responsibility over place or area, voluntary agencies with an interest in the place or area, research and/or historical and/or educational institutions and personnel, visitors to the place or area, Indigenous peoples with an interest in the place or area, local population and general public, international communities, businesses operating in park such as tour operators, concessionaires and accommodation operators, future generations, primary producers, Departments of Primary Industry, tourists and those with commercial interests (e.g., kangaroo shooters).

What methods might be used to obtain stakeholders views?
Through interviews, meetings with groups of stakeholders, media, visitor surveys, mailed letters or questionnaires.

What are the views of stakeholders that may be included?
Impact on region of place/area, cultural values, views based on historical events, desire to protect indigenous species and geophysical areas of value, access for environmental protection, cultural, tourism, recreation, and other resource use purposes, economic and social.

How might population decrease be managed?
By poisoning, shooting, trapping, physical removal of habitats, transfer to another location, biological agents, and sterilisation.

How might population increase be managed?
By control of predators, physical protection, removal of competitors, breeding programs, management of genetic diversity, protection/regeneration/restoration of habitats and re-introduction to areas.

Which permits and licences may be included?
Firearm, license to trap, shoot or capture, license to keep in captivity, permit to sell, permit to remove young or eggs, scientific license, Animal Care and Ethics Committee or equivalent license, and Commercial harvesting license.

What sorts of incidents may be relevant to this standard?
Accidents while assessing, monitoring or capturing species and attacks by species on staff.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in managing fauna populations requires evidence that a fauna population has been successfully managed according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice. The skills and knowledge required to manage fauna populations must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different species, environments and management techniques and approaches.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

Legislative and enterprise requirements.
Biology of species, habitats, predators, competitors.
Field monitoring and assessment techniques.
Basic veterinary understanding of species.
Management planning.
National and international research on fauna populations and genetic diversity.
Firearms and/or trapping license requirements.
Fauna capture and disposal techniques.
Source information and implement instructions on the care of fauna.
Animal Care and Ethics Committee license requirements.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Assess fauna populations.
Prepare management plan.
Control or maintain fauna populations.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Essential Assessment Information
For information about

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Written and verbal instructions to agency management, field staff and contractors. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through fauna research and population size assessment according to agency guidelines. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Development of control strategies and techniques. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Operations involving assessment of fauna populations and management activities. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Analysis of statistics regarding fauna populations. (3)

Solving problems
Identification of appropriate management strategies for managing fauna. (3)

Using technology
Use of field equipment and communication systems. (2)