Assessor Resource

AHCSOL402A
Develop a soil use map for a property

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to farmers and advisors who determine soil characteristics and develop soil maps to illustrate the characteristics of a property to making decisions about plants/crops, irrigation and drainage. The outcomes of this process will inform decisions relating to whole farm planning.

This unit covers developing a soil use map for a property and defines the standard required to: perform a soil survey; analyse survey results; determine soil characteristics; plot topography and soil survey data on a property map.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

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.

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:

perform a soil survey

analyse survey results

determine soil characteristics

plot topography and soil survey data on a property map.

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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

interpret soil analyses results

identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action

interpret published data and historical records to identify acceptable soil parameters

plot information on a map

use soil and water testing techniques

follow relevant enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental procedures

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

methods and techniques of soil sampling

OHS and environmental legislative requirements and enterprise procedures

environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source

soil types and profiles

physical and chemical properties of soils

nutrient availability in soils

soil analyses results

biodiversity habitats

cultural sites

soil quality factors

soil water retention testing techniques

water table and salinity

RAW.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Types of soils may include:

soils in the natural or agricultural landscape but does not include growing media.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm soil samples were collected for off-site assessment by soil testing agencies using recommended procedures. 
The information on the physical characteristics of the soil is collected. 
The information on the chemical characteristics of the soil is collected. 
The information about biological characteristics of the soil is collected. 
The acceptable soil parameters for specified plants are determined from published data and historical records. 
Information about areas of cultural significance and habitats of biodiversity on the property is collected. 
Research outcomes are collated in accordance with enterprise record keeping procedures. 
The soil types of the sample area are classified according to standards for soil classification. 
Collected results are compared with established parameters for actual or proposed land use and production. 
Soil characteristics are evaluated to determine whether they can be altered to meet land use needs. 
The Readily Available Water (RAW) values for irrigation sites are determined in line with industry standards. 
Interpreted results are mapped in an established format according to enterprise guidelines. 
Potential uses of the soil for purposes of land classing, land capability, areas of cultural significance and habitats of biodiversity are identified. 
Property boundaries and property features are defined. 
Paddocks or irrigation areas are identified. 
Contour or spot level information is plotted. 
Soil sampling sites are plotted on map. 
Soil profile and irrigation characteristics for each sampling site and/or irrigation area are described and indexed to the map. 
The RAW values for irrigation sites are indexed to the map. 
Areas of specific concern are plotted on the map and descriptions are indexed to the map. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSOL402A - Develop a soil use map for a property
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCSOL402A - Develop a soil use map for a property

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: