List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Research pathogenic and saprophytic wood decay fungi species | 1.1 Research the role of fungi in biodiversity, tree nutrition, forest health, environmental biochemistry and pathology 1.2 Research the role and contribution of wood decay fungi to forest health, the influence of environmental stresses and physiological tree responses 1.3 Examine the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi 1.4 Investigate the role of fungal species on various hosts 1.5 Conduct analysis of lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of pathogenic wood decay fungi species 1.6 Conduct analysis of lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of saprophytic wood decay fungi species 1.7 Examine the relationships of fungal species with branch and tree failures 1.8 Analyse biosecurity implications of known and threat fungal species 1.9 Review PLANTPLAN biosecurity plans and procedures |
2. Evaluate decay and identify fungi | 2.1 Perform visual evaluation of the signs and symptoms of fungi and decay, including: visual symptoms such as dieback, reduced growth rate and chlorosis, presence of basidiocarps, decayed wounds, hollows and cavities 2.2 Perform field identification of wood decay species of fungi to generic level 2.3 Perform field identification of non-pathogenic fungi species to generic level 2.4 Document location, size, and condition of wood decay fungi, presence of mycoparasites, and size, condition and extent of hollows and cavities 2.5 Document details of environmental characteristics of fungal affected trees: site characteristics, site history, soil conditions, climate and microclimatic variables, proximity of adjacent trees and vegetation, movement of people and vehicles, and potential impacts to assets, property and landscape 2.6 Determine methods of introduction, establishment, spread, and susceptibility of adjacent trees and vegetation 2.7 Perform field sampling techniques of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites suitable for in-vitro culture and identification |
3. Prepare in-vitro media, cultures | 3.1 Decant and prepare standard laboratory chemicals and materials 3.2 Create selective culturing media to grow and isolate field samples 3.3 Prepare field samples for culturing on media 3.4 Take samples from field samples and apply to growth media 3.5 Isolate clean cultures from primary field cultures, and repeat until clean sample is obtained 3.6 Prepare cultured samples for further testing such as deoxyribonucleic (DNA) based assay techniques 3.7 Document records and store securely digital and physical evidence: field samples, slides, growth media, DNA and cultured samples, following chain of evidence protocols |
4. Conduct laboratory identification and assays | 4.1 Prepare microscope slides of isolated cultures 4.2 Examine and identify cultured fungal samples 4.3 Perform laboratory identification of wood decay fungi to generic level 4.4 Record digital images of identified fungi 4.5 Perform laboratory assay tests for growth rate, temperature range, pathogenicity, and mycoparasitism to evaluate fungal characteristics 4.6 Document experimental assay test results 4.7 Develop and maintain a culture collection for identification of fungi and submission to relevant government databases and culture collections 4.8 Document a diagnostic report on a suspected emergency plant pest (EPP) following PLANTPLAN guidelines |
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:
researching the role of fungi in biodiversity, tree nutrition, forest health, environmental biochemistry and pathology
researching the role and contribution of wood decay fungi to forest health, the influence of environmental stresses and physiological tree responses
examining the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi
investigating the role of fungal species on various hosts
conducting analysis of lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of pathogenic wood decay fungi species
conducting analysis of lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of saprophytic wood decay fungi species
examining the relationships of fungal species with branch and tree failures
analysing biosecurity implications of known and threat fungal species
reviewing PLANTPLAN biosecurity plans and procedures
performing visual evaluation of the signs and symptoms of fungi and decay, including: visual symptoms such as dieback, reduced growth rate and chlorosis, presence of basidiocarps, decayed wounds, hollows and cavities
performing field identification of wood decay species of fungi to generic level
performing field identification of non-pathogenic fungi species to generic level
documenting location, size, and condition of wood decay fungi, presence of mycoparasites, and size, condition and extent of hollows and cavities
documenting details of environmental characteristics of fungal affected trees: site characteristics, site history, soil conditions, climate and microclimatic variables, proximity of adjacent trees and vegetation, movement of people and vehicles, and potential impacts to assets, property and landscape
determining methods of introduction, establishment, spread, and susceptibility of adjacent trees and vegetation
performing field sampling techniques of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites suitable for in-vitro culture and identification
decanting and preparing standard laboratory chemicals and materials
creating selective culturing media to grow and isolate field samples
preparing field samples for culturing on media
taking samples from field samples and apply to growth media
isolating clean cultures from primary field cultures, and repeating until clean sample is obtained
preparing cultured samples for further testing such as deoxyribonucleic (DNA) based assay techniques
documenting records and storing securely digital and physical evidence: field samples, slides, growth media, DNA and cultured samples, following chain of evidence protocols
preparing microscope slides of isolated cultures
examining and identify cultured fungal samples
performing laboratory identification of wood decay fungi to generic level
recording digital images of identified fungi
performing laboratory assay tests for growth rate, temperature range, pathogenicity, and mycoparasitism to evaluate fungal characteristics
documenting experimental assay test results
developing and maintaining a culture collection for identification of fungi and submission to relevant government databases and culture collections
documenting a diagnostic report on a suspected emergency plant pest (EPP) following PLANTPLAN guidelines.
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the role of fungi in biodiversity, tree nutrition, forest health, environmental biochemistry and pathology
the role and contribution of wood decay fungi to forest health, the influence of environmental stresses and physiological tree responses
taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi
the role of fungal species on various hosts
lifecycles, biology, ecology and effects of pathogenic wood decay fungi species
lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of saprophytic wood decay fungi species
relationships of fungal species with branch and tree failures
biosecurity implications of known and threat fungal species
PLANTPLAN biosecurity plans and procedures
visual evaluation of the signs and symptoms of fungi and decay, including: visual symptoms such as dieback, reduced growth rate and chlorosis, presence of basidiocarps, decayed wounds, hollows and cavities
field identification of wood decay species of fungi to generic level
field identification of non-pathogenic fungi species to generic level
location, size, and condition of wood decay fungi, presence of mycoparasites, and size, condition and extent of hollows and cavities
environmental characteristics of fungal affected trees: site characteristics, site history, soil conditions, climate and microclimatic variables, proximity of adjacent trees and vegetation, movement of people and vehicles, and potential impacts to assets, property and landscape
methods of introduction, establishment, spread, and susceptibility of adjacent trees and vegetation
field sampling techniques of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites
in-vitro culture of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites
identification of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites
methods of decanting and preparing standard laboratory chemicals and materials
creation of selective culturing media to grow and isolate field samples
preparation of field samples for culturing on media
methods of sampling from field samples
methods of application of samples to growth media
isolation of clean cultures from primary field cultures
methods of obtaining clean samples
preparation of cultured samples
deoxyribonucleic (DNA) based assay techniques
documentation of records
secure storage of digital and physical evidence: field samples, slides, growth media, DNA and cultured samples
chain of evidence protocols
preparation of microscope slides of isolated cultures
identification of cultured fungal samples
laboratory identification of wood decay fungi to generic level
digital imaging of identified fungi
laboratory assay tests for growth rate, temperature range, pathogenicity, and mycoparasitism to evaluate fungal characteristics
documentation of experimental assay test results
development and maintenance of culture collections
methods of submission to relevant government databases and culture collections
documentation of diagnostic reports
emergency plant pest (EPP)
PLANTPLAN guidelines.
It is an industry requirement that competency in this unit requires the:
field identification of a minimum of ten (10) wood decay fungi to generic level
field identification of a minimum of ten (10) non-pathogenic fungi to generic level
analysis of the lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of a minimum of ten (10) saprophytic wood decay fungi species
analysis of the lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of a minimum of ten (10) pathogenic wood decay fungi species
laboratory identification of a minimum of five (5) wood decay fungi to generic level.
Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.
Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.
The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:
equipment:
computer
word processing software
digital camera with macro
diagnostic tools including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill
soil testing equipment
digital dissection microscope 10 -100x
compound microscope
microtome, staining and slide mounting equipment
slides and coverslips
temporary/permanent mountant
histochemical stains
laboratory equipment to perform aseptic techniques in a sterile environment
materials:
emergency plant pest diagnostic report
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.
Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:
mycology vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
current mycology skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed