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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for silvicultural work
   • Identify and review information on regulatory requirements for sustainable forest operations for various forest types.
   • Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that inform sustainable silvicultural methods and techniques.
   • Identify target species in line with approved forest operational plan and organisational procedures.
   • Review work order and identify and clarify sustainable forest requirements.
2. Assess forest condition
   • Select and use appropriate techniques and tools to measure tree and stand height.
   • Calculate basal area and assess tree dominance and crown vigour using an approved industry process.
   • Determine and record standing tree defects.
   • Identify and mark merchantable trees in line with organisational procedures.
3. Implement silvicultural practices
   • Calculate and apply tree retention and stocking criteria according to operational plan.
   • Select appropriate silvicultural methods and techniques to meet environmental and production requirements.
   • Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance.
4. Monitor work practices
   • Monitor and maintain sustainable forest practices.
   • Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions.
   • Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel.
   • Identify improved work practices and recommend improvements to sivicultural operations.
5. Maintain records
   • Revise and update forest operational plan and organisational procedures as required.
   • Record and report silvicultural activities to appropriate personnel.

Range Statement

Not Applicable

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Performance Evidence

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:

application of appropriate industry-accepted silvicultural principles including:

slash or harvesting residue burning

scarification

enhancement planting or supplementary planting

fertilisation

thinning

pruning

waste thinning and non-commercial thinning

commercial thinning

harvesting

gapping

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring sustainable silvicultural principles

monitor and maintain sustainable silvicultural activities

identify and report non-compliant work practices

complete relevant workplace reports.

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Knowledge Evidence

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

principles, policies, procedures and requirements relevant to silviculture operation including the following:

environment protection and biodiversity conservation

silviculture codes and guidelines

ecological sustainability

environmental planning and assessment

threatened species conservation

critical habitat register

native vegetation

federal, state or territory forestry legislation and local government regulations

native forest legislation

specific site environmental management plans

relevant codes of practice, including Safe Work Australia code of practice ‘Managing Risks in Forest Operations’

water catchment management

surface and ground water conservation requirements

relevant Australian and industry standards

hazard reduction policy and procedures

reforestation codes

fisheries and fish passage

National Parks and Wildlife legislation

good neighbour policies

duty of care

heritage and traditional landowner requirements

environmental protection requirements and minimal impact strategies to support the implementation of silviculture practices

growth habits of specific species under soil and environmental conditions

regeneration requirements of plant species being managed

soil conservation and erosion mitigation techniques and their advantages and disadvantages for specific sites and habitats

the conditions that can alter or change and therefore require different silvicultural practices to protect the environment, including

recently declared or potentially rare and endangered species identified

unexpected lora or fauna encountered

new or potential habitat

ecology or ecosystem changes

undergrowth and ground cover

canopy

environmental features

operational conditions

ground conditions

weather conditions

wind

dust

smoke

fire

cultural sensitivity

forest type

land tenure

quality of roads and tracks

effective communication procedures and protocols

procedures for recording and reporting workplace activity.

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