Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to research, analyse the values, analyse the performance, and develop management recommendations to improve the performance of an urban forest.
The unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge of urban forest management. They have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills and demonstrate autonomy and judgement for a defined area of responsibility, undertaking complex work with broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
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 for measuring benefits of urban forests |
2. Analyse and report on urban forest benefits | 2.1 Analyse economic, social and environmental benefits of urban forests 2.2 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 specified urban forest 3.2 Determine required sample size to assess total tree population 3.3 Determine accuracy of sample size 3.4 Determine the quantitative values of urban forest environmental benefits 3.5 Identify base financial value for 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 function 4.2 Estimate life expectancy of tree population 4.3 Compile results of urban forest analysis |
5. Determine and report on urban forests improvements | 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 urban forest performance and provide recommendations for improvement in a report |
Evidence of Performance
An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.
There must be evidence that the individual has measured and improved the performance of an urban forest, including:
researched urban forest case studies and management reports
reviewed best management practices in urban forest planning and management
researched applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests
analysed and documented a preliminary report of social and environmental benefits of urban forests
conducted sampling analysis of a specified urban forest
determined sample size required to accurately assess total tree population
determined the quantitative values of urban forest, energy savings, environmental and amenity benefits for the following:
canopy cover
total carbon storage and annual carbon dioxide sequestration
rainfall interception
air pollution removal
identified base financial value for each functional benefit
calculated financial values of functional and environmental benefits of tree population
determined benefits of urban heat island modification
documented a preliminary report on total asset valuation of urban forest
analysed urban forest structure and function, covering the following in the analysis:
urban tree population half-life
vacant planting ratio
species distribution
population diversity
estimated life expectancy of tree population
compiled results of urban forest analysis
identified urban forest issues within tree population sample area
determined recommendations for tree species and diversity
determined extent of current tree planting and replacement programs
determined volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance
determined required modifications to planting practices
determined targets for urban forest improvement
documented a report on urban forest performance and provided recommendations for improvement.
Evidence of Knowledge
An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:
urban forests and their management, including:
sources of reports and case studies
best practices in urban forest planning and management
measuring the performance of urban forests and their management
applications and functional tools for measuring benefits of urban forests
analysing the benefits of urban forests, including:
economic and political
physical and psychological on community
environmental and ecological
evidence-based research, including what it is and how it is conducted
sampling techniques and their analysis
urban forests and their social, environmental and economic implications, including:
calculating canopy cover and estimating carbon storage and annual carbon dioxide sequestration
rainfall interception
air pollution removal
energy savings benefit
environmental benefits
amenity benefits
valuing urban forests from an economic perspective, including:
financial value for functional benefits
calculations of financial values of functional and environmental benefits
concepts of urban heat island and its modification with urban forests
determining the total asset valuation
the structure, function and faults of urban forests, including:
urban tree population life expectancy
vacant planting ratio
species distribution and population diversity
urban forest analysis techniques
identifying urban forest issues within tree populations
defining problems and compiling recommendations for tree species and diversity, including:
tree planting and replacement programs
volume and rate of planting programs
modifications to planting practices
targets for urban forest improvement
report writing and structure of urban forest documents and reports.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
an urban forest
resources, equipment and materials:
computer with word processing software and statistical analysis software
measurement and data collection tools
specifications:
urban forest performance reports, research materials and case studies.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must 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
Skill | Description |
Reading | Critically analyse and extract information from complex research materials for urban forest management and analysis to critique and formulate performance outcomes for urban forests |
Writing | Demonstrate sophisticated writing skills by selecting appropriate conventions and stylistic devices to express precise meaning in urban forest performance reports |
Numeracy | Select and apply a wide range of highly developed mathematical and problem-solving strategies and techniques to quantitatively analyse the financial, social and ecologic benefits of urban forests |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)