Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to measure and improve the performance of trees.
This unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge of a specific area or a broad field of work and learning and cognitive, technical and communication skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in undertaking complex work within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.
The role involves the self-directed application of specialised knowledge in arboriculture with substantial depth in areas of tree performance and carbon sequestration.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Research urban forest practices and applications | 1.1 Research urban forest case studies and management reports 1.2 Review best management practices in urban forest planning and management 1.3 Research applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests |
2. Analyse and report on urban forest benefits | 2.1 Analyse social benefits of urban forests 2.2 Analyse psychological benefits of urban forests 2.3 Analyse environmental benefits of urban forests 2.4 Document evidence-based research into a preliminary report on benefits of urban forests |
3. Determine values of urban forest benefits | 3.1 Conduct sampling analysis of an urban forest 3.2 Determine required sample size to assess total tree population 3.3 Determine accuracy of sample size 3.4 Calculate canopy cover, total carbon storage, annual carbon dioxide sequestration, rainfall interception, air pollution removal, energy savings benefit, environmental benefits and amenity benefits 3.5 Identify base financial value for each functional benefit 3.6 Calculate financial values of functional and environmental benefits of current tree population 3.7 Determine benefits of heat island modification of urban areas 3.8 Document a preliminary report on total asset valuation of an urban forest |
4. Analyse and compile results | 4.1 Analyse urban forest structure and functions 4.2 Describe urban tree population half-life, vacant planting ratio, species distribution and population diversity 4.3 Estimate life expectancy of tree population 4.4 Compile results of urban forest analysis |
5. Document a report on improvement of urban forests | 5.1 Identify urban forest issues within tree population sample area 5.2 Determine recommendations for tree species and diversity 5.3 Determine extent of current tree planting and replacement programs 5.4 Determine volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance 5.5 Determine required modifications to planting practices 5.6 Determine targets for urban forest improvement 5.7 Document a report on urban forest performance that provides recommendations for improvement of urban forests |
Evidence of Performance
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 for and demonstrate:
researching urban forest case studies and management reports
reviewing best management practices in urban forest planning and management
researching applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests
analysing social benefits of urban forests
analysing psychological benefits of urban forests
analysing environmental benefits of urban forests
documenting evidence-based research into a preliminary report on benefits of urban forests
conducting sampling analysis of an urban forest
determining required sample size to assess total tree population
determining accuracy of sample size
calculating canopy cover, total carbon storage, annual carbon dioxide sequestration, rainfall interception, air pollution removal, energy savings benefit, environmental benefits and amenity benefits
identifying base financial value for each functional benefit
calculating financial values of functional and environmental benefits of current tree population
determining benefits of heat island modification of urban areas
documenting a preliminary report on total asset valuation of an urban forest
analysing urban forest structure and functions
describing urban tree population half-life, vacant planting ratio, species distribution and population diversity
estimating life expectancy of tree population
compiling results of urban forest analysis
identifying urban forest issues within tree population sample area
determining recommendations for tree species and diversity
determining extent of current tree planting and replacement programs
determining volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance
determining required modifications to planting practices
determining targets for urban forest improvement
documenting a report on urban forest performance that provides recommendations for improvement of urban forests.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
urban forest case studies
urban forest management reports
best management practices in urban forest planning and management
applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests
social benefits of urban forests
psychological benefits of urban forests
environmental benefits of urban forests
evidence-based research
analysis of sampling of an urban forest
requirements of sample sizes to assess total tree populations
accuracy of sample size
calculations of canopy cover, total carbon storage, annual carbon dioxide sequestration, rainfall interception, air pollution removal, energy savings benefit, environmental benefits and amenity benefits
base financial value for functional benefits of urban forests
calculations of financial values of functional and environmental benefits of tree populations
benefits of heat island modification of urban areas
total asset valuation of an urban forest
urban forest structure and functions
urban tree population half-life, vacant planting ratio, species distribution and population diversity
life expectancy of tree population
urban forest analysis
identification of urban forest issues within tree population sample areas
recommendations for tree species and diversity
tree planting and replacement programs
volume and rate of planting programs
modifications to planting practices
targets for urban forest improvement.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.
Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.
The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:
equipment:
computer
word processing software
statistical software
internet connection
measurement and data collection tools
materials:
report on urban forest performance
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.
Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:
arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)