Assessor Resource

AHCSOL504
Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinity

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers the development and management of a plan to reclaim salt affected land for profitable, sustainable agricultural production. The plan will include the assessment of the area to determine the source of the salt, the level of salinity and the extent of the infestation as well as plan to reduce flooding and the effect of water logging on the soil. The plan will recommend strategies to be used to reclaim the land. The cost of the plan will be calculated. Plant and pasture establishment and management methods will be recommended for saline sites. Management of the reclaimed area is intended to increase production and profitability. The plan will include strategies for prevention of further salinity problems and for community involvement to reduce salinity in the area.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit is applicable to a person who has a role in managing the farm. This unit is likely to require consultation with a range of external institutions, groups, government departments and individuals.

No occupational licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this competency at the time of publication.

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


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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Review the saline area to increase productivity

1.1 Map the property and determine the type and severity of the salinity and install fencing to subdivide classes of land and salt affected areas for appropriate management of each area

1.2 Assess area for water logging, determine the cause and recommend strategies to divert water or drain water from the area

1.3 Review and select suitable plant and pasture species and management options available to reclaim the saline area

1.4 Calculate the cost and the beneficial returns of reclaiming the area including financial, environmental and social benefits

1.5 Outline the management for the reclaimed area to protect it at vulnerable times of the year and certain times in the plant reproduction cycle

2. Develop a plan to manage water use and movement

2.1 Install fencing to protect the watercourses through the property

2.2 Test and modify salinity and pH of the water entering and leaving the property

2.3 Calculate the water used by the enterprise and establish targets to reduce the quantity by improving irrigation methods and general management practices

3. Develop a plan to protect and manage natural areas

3.1 Plan a strategy to protect the natural area from increased salinity and other stresses that will accelerate decline

3.2 Develop strategies to increase biodiversity

3.3 Plan to manage soil structure and fertility to improve soil biota

3.4 Identify review indicators and develop the long-term plan

4. Implement a strategy to reduce salinity in the area

4.1 Work with adjacent properties and relevant other authorities and community groups to reduce extent and cause of local saline areas by monitoring quality and quantity of water

4.2 Monitor improvements in productivity and review against current leading edge and research developments

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 that they can:

assess land forms and soil types

determine categories of saline land

take soil and water samples for testing

calculate optimum stocking rate

identify indicator plant species

assess the level of degradation and damage through salinity

research the latest innovations and management techniques

manage the crop and animal enterprise selected for the farm to utilize the saline area

calculate the costs of the project

calculate benefits of salinity reduction to the enterprise and the property

work with producers and community groups

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

salt tolerant plant and pasture species and the management of each

range of methods for reclaiming saline land

strategies to profit from the saline area

value of using natural species and natural systems to improve farm production

benefits of biodiversity on plant production and the animal enterprise

strategic and responsible use of susceptible land

consequences of poor management or removal of vegetation on the land

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Review the saline area to increase productivity

1.1 Map the property and determine the type and severity of the salinity and install fencing to subdivide classes of land and salt affected areas for appropriate management of each area

1.2 Assess area for water logging, determine the cause and recommend strategies to divert water or drain water from the area

1.3 Review and select suitable plant and pasture species and management options available to reclaim the saline area

1.4 Calculate the cost and the beneficial returns of reclaiming the area including financial, environmental and social benefits

1.5 Outline the management for the reclaimed area to protect it at vulnerable times of the year and certain times in the plant reproduction cycle

2. Develop a plan to manage water use and movement

2.1 Install fencing to protect the watercourses through the property

2.2 Test and modify salinity and pH of the water entering and leaving the property

2.3 Calculate the water used by the enterprise and establish targets to reduce the quantity by improving irrigation methods and general management practices

3. Develop a plan to protect and manage natural areas

3.1 Plan a strategy to protect the natural area from increased salinity and other stresses that will accelerate decline

3.2 Develop strategies to increase biodiversity

3.3 Plan to manage soil structure and fertility to improve soil biota

3.4 Identify review indicators and develop the long-term plan

4. Implement a strategy to reduce salinity in the area

4.1 Work with adjacent properties and relevant other authorities and community groups to reduce extent and cause of local saline areas by monitoring quality and quantity of water

4.2 Monitor improvements in productivity and review against current leading edge and research developments

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 that they can:

assess land forms and soil types

determine categories of saline land

take soil and water samples for testing

calculate optimum stocking rate

identify indicator plant species

assess the level of degradation and damage through salinity

research the latest innovations and management techniques

manage the crop and animal enterprise selected for the farm to utilize the saline area

calculate the costs of the project

calculate benefits of salinity reduction to the enterprise and the property

work with producers and community groups

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

salt tolerant plant and pasture species and the management of each

range of methods for reclaiming saline land

strategies to profit from the saline area

value of using natural species and natural systems to improve farm production

benefits of biodiversity on plant production and the animal enterprise

strategic and responsible use of susceptible land

consequences of poor management or removal of vegetation on the land

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
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
Map the property and determine the type and severity of the salinity and install fencing to subdivide classes of land and salt affected areas for appropriate management of each area 
Assess area for water logging, determine the cause and recommend strategies to divert water or drain water from the area 
Review and select suitable plant and pasture species and management options available to reclaim the saline area 
Calculate the cost and the beneficial returns of reclaiming the area including financial, environmental and social benefits 
Outline the management for the reclaimed area to protect it at vulnerable times of the year and certain times in the plant reproduction cycle 
Install fencing to protect the watercourses through the property 
Test and modify salinity and pH of the water entering and leaving the property 
Calculate the water used by the enterprise and establish targets to reduce the quantity by improving irrigation methods and general management practices 
Plan a strategy to protect the natural area from increased salinity and other stresses that will accelerate decline 
Develop strategies to increase biodiversity 
Plan to manage soil structure and fertility to improve soil biota 
Identify review indicators and develop the long-term plan 
Work with adjacent properties and relevant other authorities and community groups to reduce extent and cause of local saline areas by monitoring quality and quantity of water 
Monitor improvements in productivity and review against current leading edge and research developments 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSOL504 - Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinity
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

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Assessor name:

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Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCSOL504 - Develop and manage a plan to reclaim land affected by salinity

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:

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