Assessor Resource

FWPFGM4209
Interpret and use aerial photographs for forest management

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to use aerial photographs as a tool to assist with management of a forest area.

The unit applies to job roles including Arboriculture Supervisor, Farm Forestry Supervisor, Forestry Supervisor, Forestry Operations Supervisor, Harvesting Supervisor, Harvesting Team Leader, Propagation and Stand Health Supervisor and Tree Farm Supervisor.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit 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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Plan to review aerial photographs

1.1 Review forest management objectives and requirements for aerial photographs.

1.2 Obtain available types of aerial photographs for required locations and application.

1.3 Assess aerial photographs for suitability to meet forest management objectives and applications.

2. Interpret forest management information from aerial photographs

2.1 Position aerial photographs for viewing and calculate scale.

2.2 Identify key aspects from aerial photographs and document these.

2.3 Interpret and apply photomapping standards for consistent data-collection.

2.4 Identify and interpret forest attributes and required forest management information from aerial photographs.

2.5 Map aerial photographs according to organisational procedures.

Record and report on analysis of aerial photographs.

3. Update maps and plans from aerial photographs

3.1 Assess maps and plans and update as required, using established symbols, colours and conventions.

3.2 Use tools to transfer data in line with manufacturer recommendations.

3.3 Complete documentation and store according to organisational procedures.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

maintain relevant equipment and materials

interpret forest area detail from a map

identify disease symptoms in trees and forest areas using aerial photographs

identify vegetation characteristics on an aerial photograph

locate required photographs from appropriate records (flight plan map)

report and maintain information on details of forest attributes and topographic information

interpret charts, tables, maps and flight plans

identify and interpret title panel information on an aerial photograph

calculate scale of an aerial photograph, scale distances for a map, and calculate and manipulate height and area information

identify map type and map features, including topographic map features.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

typical scales used on maps and plans, and procedures for their use and manipulation

key aspects of aerial photography including

determining north and flight line path

mapsheet

flight orientation

photography type

focal length

film number

run number

frame number

height above sea level

photography date

forest types and structures and type of information including

area

height

species

crown cover

crown form

disturbance

aspects to be considered as part of the environmental management process.

applications relevant to using aerial photography including

road or plantation design

field navigation and interpretation of forest types

forest structure

environmental processes, including salinity discharge

ecological vegetation communities, including coastal heathlands

land capability classes

remnant vegetation (roadside vegetation)

diseased vegetation classes, including Eucalyptus dieback from Phytophthora.

range of photographic film, and photo types including

project, mapsheet, spot and stratigraphic:

of photographic classes, including terrestrial, vertical and oblique

of aerial photographic film, including black and white, black and white infra-red, colour, colour infra-red.

requirements for aerial photography including

scale

flying height and focal length

required percent endlap and sidelap

orientation

location and number of flight lines required

total number of photographs required

allowable drift, crab, tilt and image motion

camera characteristics, including format, lens quality, shutter speed and aperture, film and filter characteristics

acceptable seasons of the year, time of day, allowable present cloud cover and hot spots

field observations including

accuracy of all mapped topographic information

measure of accuracy of associated base topographic or digital base map

spatial accuracy of strata

measure of accuracy of content of strata

transferring data including

rescaling from one source to another

transferring from map to map

transferring from photograph to map or diapositive to map

care and storage of aerial photographs

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

maps and plans: cadastral plans; topographic maps; locality plans; site plans and maps and plans generated through the use of geographic information systems (GIS)

representation of topographic features on maps and plans including

roads and tracks

watercourses

ridges and spurs

saddles

peaks and knobs

technology and equipment used to interpret aerial photographs, and procedures for its maintenance including

electronic data transfer technology

manual light tables

mechanical light tables, including Omnigraph, Kartoflex, Zoom Transfer Scope, Artiscope and Sketchmaster.

The following resources must be made available:

organisational policies and procedures relevant to interpreting and using aerial photographs for forest management

a selection of aerial photographs for forest management

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

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Plan to review aerial photographs

1.1 Review forest management objectives and requirements for aerial photographs.

1.2 Obtain available types of aerial photographs for required locations and application.

1.3 Assess aerial photographs for suitability to meet forest management objectives and applications.

2. Interpret forest management information from aerial photographs

2.1 Position aerial photographs for viewing and calculate scale.

2.2 Identify key aspects from aerial photographs and document these.

2.3 Interpret and apply photomapping standards for consistent data-collection.

2.4 Identify and interpret forest attributes and required forest management information from aerial photographs.

2.5 Map aerial photographs according to organisational procedures.

Record and report on analysis of aerial photographs.

3. Update maps and plans from aerial photographs

3.1 Assess maps and plans and update as required, using established symbols, colours and conventions.

3.2 Use tools to transfer data in line with manufacturer recommendations.

3.3 Complete documentation and store according to organisational procedures.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

maintain relevant equipment and materials

interpret forest area detail from a map

identify disease symptoms in trees and forest areas using aerial photographs

identify vegetation characteristics on an aerial photograph

locate required photographs from appropriate records (flight plan map)

report and maintain information on details of forest attributes and topographic information

interpret charts, tables, maps and flight plans

identify and interpret title panel information on an aerial photograph

calculate scale of an aerial photograph, scale distances for a map, and calculate and manipulate height and area information

identify map type and map features, including topographic map features.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

typical scales used on maps and plans, and procedures for their use and manipulation

key aspects of aerial photography including

determining north and flight line path

mapsheet

flight orientation

photography type

focal length

film number

run number

frame number

height above sea level

photography date

forest types and structures and type of information including

area

height

species

crown cover

crown form

disturbance

aspects to be considered as part of the environmental management process.

applications relevant to using aerial photography including

road or plantation design

field navigation and interpretation of forest types

forest structure

environmental processes, including salinity discharge

ecological vegetation communities, including coastal heathlands

land capability classes

remnant vegetation (roadside vegetation)

diseased vegetation classes, including Eucalyptus dieback from Phytophthora.

range of photographic film, and photo types including

project, mapsheet, spot and stratigraphic:

of photographic classes, including terrestrial, vertical and oblique

of aerial photographic film, including black and white, black and white infra-red, colour, colour infra-red.

requirements for aerial photography including

scale

flying height and focal length

required percent endlap and sidelap

orientation

location and number of flight lines required

total number of photographs required

allowable drift, crab, tilt and image motion

camera characteristics, including format, lens quality, shutter speed and aperture, film and filter characteristics

acceptable seasons of the year, time of day, allowable present cloud cover and hot spots

field observations including

accuracy of all mapped topographic information

measure of accuracy of associated base topographic or digital base map

spatial accuracy of strata

measure of accuracy of content of strata

transferring data including

rescaling from one source to another

transferring from map to map

transferring from photograph to map or diapositive to map

care and storage of aerial photographs

procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

maps and plans: cadastral plans; topographic maps; locality plans; site plans and maps and plans generated through the use of geographic information systems (GIS)

representation of topographic features on maps and plans including

roads and tracks

watercourses

ridges and spurs

saddles

peaks and knobs

technology and equipment used to interpret aerial photographs, and procedures for its maintenance including

electronic data transfer technology

manual light tables

mechanical light tables, including Omnigraph, Kartoflex, Zoom Transfer Scope, Artiscope and Sketchmaster.

The following resources must be made available:

organisational policies and procedures relevant to interpreting and using aerial photographs for forest management

a selection of aerial photographs for forest management

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

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
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
Review forest management objectives and requirements for aerial photographs. 
Obtain available types of aerial photographs for required locations and application. 
Assess aerial photographs for suitability to meet forest management objectives and applications. 
Position aerial photographs for viewing and calculate scale. 
Identify key aspects from aerial photographs and document these. 
Interpret and apply photomapping standards for consistent data-collection. 
Identify and interpret forest attributes and required forest management information from aerial photographs. 
Map aerial photographs according to organisational procedures. 
Record and report on analysis of aerial photographs. 
Assess maps and plans and update as required, using established symbols, colours and conventions. 
Use tools to transfer data in line with manufacturer recommendations. 
Complete documentation and store according to organisational procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPFGM4209 - Interpret and use aerial photographs for forest management
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:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

FWPFGM4209 - Interpret and use aerial photographs for forest management

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: