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.

What factors affecting ecosystems may be relevant to this competency standard?
Ecosystems may be youthful or unstable, varying after invasion by organisms from inside or outside the park/reserve or after destabilisation due to pollutants, changes in temperature, currents salinity with primary colonisation, and climax colonisation after a period of stability.

Which plans may be included?
Local plans and park and reserve management plans.

What types of monitoring plans may be relevant to this standard?
Plans for a place, an area, a park/reserve, an ecosystem or part of an ecosystem, a region or catchment and a species or group of species.

Which OHS requirements may be included?
Legislation and Codes of Practice, enterprise policies and procedures, certification/licensing of personnel.

Which certificates/licenses may apply to this standard?
Vessel operation, diving, vehicle operation include heavy vehicles and permits to enter specific places.

Which legislative requirements may be included?
Local Government, National and International, Native Title and National and International Heritage agreements.

What sorts of threats may be relevant?
Interactions with human activity.

Which methods of observation and measurement may be included?
Recording of incidents or events, recording of counts, recording of locations by reference to physical features or through GPS, use of monitoring equipment and manual recording of results, and checks of automatic recording equipment and telemetry links.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in monitoring biodiversity requires evidence that biodiversity has been appropriately monitored for a given site according to current scientific procedures and principles, enterprise guidelines, and industry best practice. The skills and knowledge required to monitor biodiversity must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different ecosystems, environments and organisms.
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:

Ecosystems.
Plant and animal classification.
Monitoring systems for flora, fauna and microorganism populations.
Accepted scientific processes.
Parks/reserves, conservation, environmental protection and heritage and tenure systems.
Threats, both natural and from human activity, to places of natural significance.
International, national and local standards and Codes of Practice.
Legislation under which enterprise operates.

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:

Develop monitoring techniques.
Prepare equipment and resources.
Monitor biodiversity.
Review data.

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
Recording and reporting on monitoring activities. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through surveys and observation according to enterprise guidelines. (3)

Planning and organising activities
With appropriate licences and permits and using appropriate equipment. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Co-operation in surveys and preparation of reports. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Through estimation and counting in the field and presentation of monitoring results in a report. (2)

Solving problems
Assessing threats and changes to area being monitored. (2)

Using technology
Use of field equipment and machinery. (2)