Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise integrated plant and animal systems and their roles in permaculture design.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures, including animal welfare, quarantine and work health and safety policies and procedures.
This unit 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. Recognise plants and animals | 1.1 Describe plant and animal habits, plant characteristics, animal characteristics and significant features and record appropriately 1.2 Recognise and name plants and animals used in permaculture systems according to their identifiable characteristics 1.3 Describe interconnectedness of plants and animals in permaculture systems using permaculture principles and practices |
2. Describe functions of integrated systems in permaculture | 2.1 Describe inputs, outputs and intrinsic features of plants and animals in integrated permaculture systems 2.2 Describe functions of integrated systems using a permaculture plan 2.3 Maintain records on integrated plant and animal systems |
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:
recognise animals and plants
name animals and plants by common name
read a permaculture plan
identify plants and animals commonly encountered in a permaculture system
identify plants with useful properties (food, fuel, fibre, medicinal, dyes, shade, habitat etc)
describe animals with functions in the system
produce a simple report
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles and practices related to integrated plant and animal systems, such as:
practices which conserve energy and resources
protecting water, soil and other resources
obtaining a yield
preserving heritage or heirloom varieties (biodiversity)
re-using or adapting materials for other functions
making use of vertical space
creating multiple functions for the same thing
using nature as the model
seed-saving
animals and plants common to permaculture systems in a given region or bioregion
the role or niche of animals in system and interrelationship with other animals, plants or systems, such as:
native or wild animals and plants
pest and feral plants and animals
insects, fish, birds and reptiles, both friend and foe
principles relating to integrated plant and animal systems
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III qualification (or higher) in Permaculture and/or have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)