Assessor Resource

FPICOT3256
Apply biodiversity protection principles

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit involves following ecological and biodiversity protection principles when identifying and protecting forest habitats, threatened species, microclimates and landscape features; or while conducting hazard-reduction procedures in an operational forest environment.

This unit describes the outcomes required to access, interpret and apply biodiversity principles and requirements in a forest environment, including monitoring work practices for compliance with the principles, and maintaining forest documentation and records.

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

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can implement and monitor ecological and biodiversity protection principles

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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable federal, state or territory regulatory or local government ordinance requirements, codes of practice, and OHS and environmental policies relevant to ecological and biodiversity protection

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring ecological and biodiversity protection principles

effective communication and safe work practices

implementing best practice and industry-acceptable ecological and biodiversity protection principles

monitoring and maintaining ecological and biodiversity protection principles

identifying and reporting non-compliant work practices

completing relevant workplace documentation and reporting processes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role


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:

Literacy skills to:

locate, read, interpret and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form

complete and maintain workplace documentation and reports

Technical skills to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment

Communication skills and interpersonal techniques to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace.

Numeracy skills to measure, calculate and estimate material quantities and time required to complete a task

Problem-solving skills to:

identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

review, identify and interpret work requirements

Required knowledge:

Federal, state and territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for ecological and biodiversity protection

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of products and waste material

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures relevant to environmental care

Environmental policies and practices, risks and hazard identification relevant to biodiversity protection

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and fault-finding techniques

Mathematical procedures for measuring and estimating, including calculating quantities and time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

safe work procedures

hazard and risk control

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

Regulatory requirements:

are to be in line with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect forest operations in relation to ecological and biodiversity protection and may include:

federal, state or territory legislation

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)

Threatened Species Conservation Act

Native Vegetation Act

native forest legislation

private native forest codes

forest operational plans

environmental legislation, policy and procedures

environmental planning and assessment

specific site environmental management plans

relevant codes of practice

water catchment management

surface and ground water conservation requirements

relevant Australian standards and industry standards

hazard reduction policy and procedures

plantation legislation

plantation and reforestation code

fisheries and fish passage

national parks and wildlife legislation

good neighbour policies

award and organisational agreements

heritage and traditional landowner

forest certification, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification

Organisational requirements may include:

legal compliance documentation

recording and reporting

environmental management requirements, including waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines

operational plan, including organisation and site guidelines

Various forest types may include:

Callitris forest

closed low eucalypt forest

open low eucalypt forest

low eucalypt woodland

open eucalypt mallee forest

eucalypt mallee woodland

closed medium eucalypt forest

open medium eucalypt forest

medium eucalypt woodland

closed tall eucalypt forest

open tall eucalypt forest

tall eucalypt woodland

River Red Gum and river flood plains

melaleuca forest

tropical rainforest

subtropical rainforest

warm and cool temperate rainforest

Habitats:

are any area or region where local animals, plants or organisms may live or rely upon for food, water, shelter or breeding purposes and may include:

habitat plants and trees, including:

specific species

burrow

food

roost

nest

recruitment trees

hollow logs

rocky outcrops

rock overhangs

caves

soil mounds

creek or river banks

sheltered valleys or canyons

any other site, feature or zone listed as habitat or potential habitat

Landscape features:

are any topographical or ecological feature that could serve as a habitat to sensitive or endangered local animals, plants or organisms and may include:

wetlands

steep slopes

sheltered valleys or canyons

rocky outcrops and overhang

caves

waterfalls and courses

vegetation community

sites of cultural or heritage significance

Protection zones:

are areas or zones where operational conditions are varied by prescriptions for the management of ecological and biodiversity values, and may include:

buffer zones

filter strips

riparian protection areas

exclusion zones

conservation management plan

Operational plan may include:

forest operations plan

harvesting plan

plantation establishment plan

coupe plan

roading plan

drainage plan

sediment and erosion control plan

Appropriate personnel may include:

colleague

leading hand

bush boss

foreman

supervisor

manager

environmental officer

other authorised personnel

Threatened species may include:

animals and plants listed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) and any amendments

animals and plants listed in state or territory legislation, such as NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995)

Changing conditions:

are those conditions that can alter or change and therefore require different work strategies or practices to maximise forest soil and water protection from an increased risk of pollution and may include:

land tenure

topography

machinery and operation type

forest type

soil type and erodibility

rainfall intensity

soil moisture

ground cover

code of practice

quality of roads and tracks

Prescriptions may include:

any temporary or permanent measure or action aimed at protecting the ecology and biodiversity before, during or on completion of forest operations

modified silviculture

exclusion of an activity

modified access, including:

cordons or barricades

signage

written instruction

verbal instruction

code of practice directives or requirements

legislative compliance

local ordinances

Documentation and reporting may include:

specific organisational records, reports and forms

update of forest operational plans

operational inspection report

non-compliance report

road and crossing designs

drainage line and buffer zone specifications

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
Identify and review information on occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental,regulatoryand organisational requirementsrelevant to the application of ecological and biodiversity protection principles for various forest types 
Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that apply to ecological and biodiversity protection 
Identify sensitive ecological and biodiversity sites, habitats, landscape features andprotection zones in the forest operational plan and maps 
Review work order and identify and clarify ecological and biodiversity requirements with appropriate personnel 
Identify endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats, sensitive landscape features and protection zones in the field 
Identify and report existing and potential ecological risks and hazards 
Apply protection measures for endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats and sensitive landscape features and protection zones in line with codes of practice and operational plan 
Select, apply and verify protection zone methods and materials with appropriate personnel 
Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance in line with organisational requirements 
Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions 
Monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection work practices in line with codes of practice and operational plan 
Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel 
Identify improved work practices and make recommendations in line with organisational continuous improvement procedures 
Update operational plans as required with any new threatened species or habitat protectionprescriptions 
Complete relevantdocumentation and reporting processes in line with codes of practice and organisational requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FPICOT3256 - Apply biodiversity protection principles
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

FPICOT3256 - Apply biodiversity protection principles

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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