Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens for recording or identification purposes.
It applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
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. Collect specimen | 1.1 Collect the largest sample practical to fit on herbarium sheet 1.2 Confirm the sample includes flowers and fruit, leaves and roots and other features required for positive identification 1.3 Record observations of plant 1.4 Identify individual specimens in a manner that allows them to be linked to observations |
2. Press plants | 2.1 Protect samples from wilting until pressing 2.2 Arrange specimens on sheets ready for pressing 2.3 Press specimens 2.4 Attach archival specimens to suitable material with observations attached following established material 2.5 Pack specimens to be submitted for identification, including all data from collection observations as required by herbarium |
3. Record data | 3.1 Record and catalogue all data relating to specimens |
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 that they can:
collect plant specimens for identification
arrange and press plant specimens
attach archival specimens to material, together with observations
pack specimens, with collection observation data, for identification
record and catalogue data
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices of plant collection
how to recognise plants to be collected
how to select the most suitable specimen for collection
how to store the specimens correctly
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Plants culture and management (PCM)