The unit involves assessing forests and plantations for current and future carbon storage in a variety of work settings including:

native forest environment

hardwood or softwood plantation

agroforestry and farm forestry

The skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for carbon storage sampling activities

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environmental, legislative and organisational requirements relevant to planning and managing a carbon storage sampling activity are identified and followed

1.2. Purpose, objectives and scope of sample collection activity is confirmed from discussions with stakeholders

1.3. Desktop study of existing forests and plantations is conducted

1.4. Assessment program is designed

1.5. Sampling site locations are confirmed and where required, approval obtained for site access

1.6. Characteristics of sites are assessed for impact on sampling and testing

1.7. Human and physical resource requirements are determined and arranged

2. Prepare for carbon storage sampling activities

2.1. Surveying activity and contractors are arranged

2.2. Forests and plantations are located using site maps and plans

2.3. Areas of forests and plantations for sampling are identified

2.4. OHS hazards are identified and risks assessed and the controls implemented are reported

2.5. All administrative requirements are completed and approvals obtained

3. Conduct carbon storage sampling collection

3.1. Safe working environment is established and monitored throughout sampling activities

3.2. Sampling activities are coordinated at sites prior to commencement of and during, the work activity

3.3. Sampling equipment is inspected and tested to ensure functionality, safety and compliance with manufacturer's instructions

3.4. Surveys and sampling are conducted in line with site and legislative requirements

3.5. Hazards and emergency situations are recognised and responded to in line with site and legislative requirements

3.6. Results of samples and surveys are recorded in line with sampling plan

3.7. Sampling activities are monitored on a regular basis against sampling plan and any required modifications or improvements implemented

4. Interpret results

4.1. Sampling data is analysed

4.2. Assessment is reviewed against assessment program and organisational requirements

4.3. Information and data is analysed to determine effectiveness of assessment and improvements to future programs

4.4. Recommendations for future programs are prepared based on findings of analysis and consultation conducted

4.5. Assessment processes are recorded and reported to appropriate personnel

5. Use growth models to predict biomass and carbon storage

5.1. Information and data from assessments is used in growth models to predict biomass growth and carbon storage

5.2. Predicted data using growth models are regularly checked against new assessment data

5.3. Growth models are modified to better represent the forests or plantations being assessed

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

Technical skills sufficient to select sampling techniques and create sampling designs; identify species growing in the target area; identify components of the forest/plantation that contain carbon stocks

Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate consultative, communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others; present written and oral information to a wide range of individuals and groups

Literacy skills sufficient to analyse qualitative and quantitative information and data; prepare site maps and plans; accurately prepare a range of reports, documentation and submissions where precise meaning is required

Numeracy skills sufficient to use growth models to predict growth; use and adapt complex maps and diagrams

Problem solving skills sufficient to demonstrate time and project management

Required knowledge

Applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for undertaking carbon storage sampling of forests and plantations

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material

Organisational, site and management standards, requirements, policies and processes for undertaking carbon storage sampling of forests and plantations

Environmental risks and hazards

Minimising environmental impact

Using energy effectively and efficiently

Using material effectively and efficiently

Procedures for the development and implementation of a range of environmental management strategies

Data collection and analysis methods

Map and plan preparation techniques

Characteristics and growth habits of local vegetation

Soil characteristics and topography of local area

Use and application of appropriate survey and assessment equipment

Statistical analysis techniques applicable to biomass and carbon assessments

Sampling techniques applicable to biomass and carbon assessments

Use and application of growth models

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and resolution

Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement

Procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence and demonstrate that they can plan and oversee an assessment of forests and plantations for carbon storage and interpret the results for use in growth models to predict carbon storage

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to planning, implementing, monitoring and reviewing an assessment of forests and plantations for carbon storage, and using growth models to predict carbon storage growth

following organisational policies and procedures relevant to planning, implementing, monitoring and reviewing an assessment of forests and plantations for carbon storage, and using growth models to predict carbon storage growth

planning an assessment program using consultative processes with colleagues and stakeholders to obtain inputs, and ensuring efficient and safe processes and timelines

safely implementing an assessment program in line with documented plan and budget, and making adjustments to program as required

monitoring the conduct of the sampling collection

interpreting the results of the sampling program and preparing and presenting a detailed report including an analysis of the findings of the program

using data from assessments to predict biomass growth and carbon storage

checking predicted data against new assessment data to modify growth models to better represent the forests or plantations being assessed

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

personal protective equipment and clothing

safety equipment

first aid equipment

fire fighting equipment

hazard and risk control

fatigue management

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire

manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements:

may relate to:

hygiene of the area

Commonwealth, State or Territory and local legislation and regulations

and may include consideration of:

ground growth

canopy

general forest health

wind speed and direction

fallen trees

density of trees

ground slope

soil and water protection

ground hazards and obstacles

contingencies for modifying operations during wet or other adverse weather conditions

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

award and enterprise agreements

industrial relations

Australian Standards

confidentiality and privacy

OHS

the environment

equal opportunity

anti-discrimination

relevant industry codes of practice

duty of care

Organisational requirements may include:

legal

organisational and site guidelines

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality assurance

procedural manuals

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures

ethical standards

recording and reporting requirements

equipment use and maintenance and storage requirements

environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Assessment program

is used to calculate current and expected biomass and carbon stocks of:

trees (above and below ground)

other vegetation

litter layer

soil

wood products

and may include:

putting a monitoring process in place to enable reporting against marketing, strategic and business plans

incorporating the use of growth models to predict biomass growth and carbon storage growth

Approvals may be required by:

environmental bodies

local, State, Territory and Commonwealth government bodies and agencies

and may include:

long-term budget approvals

and authorisations such as:

permits

licences relating to neighbouring sites or properties, hours of operation, use and application of chemicals, the environment

Characteristics of sites may include:

range of operations

conditions

hazards

difficult/sensitive environments

Resourcesrequirements may include:

people

materials and equipment

tools, including geographic information systems and aerial photography

Records may include:

difficulties or issues faced during planning and implementation of the assessment program

recommendations for future work

results, costs, data analysis

and may be:

manual

using a computer-based system or other appropriate communication system

Assessment may include checking:

compliance with OHS, organisational. legislative and environmental regulations, procedures, practices and precautions

adherence to site environmental imperatives

specifications, quality, performance targets,

documentation is completed and submitted as required

Information relates to:

the sample area

and may include:

previous surveys and assessments

aerial photography, geographic information systems data

previous reports

management information systems data, marketing, strategic

business plans and associated implementation plans

Sampling techniques

relate to measurement and survey

and may include:

use of geographic information systems

interpretation of aerial photography

Forest Growing and Management

This unit contains employability skills