Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to access, interpret and apply sustainable silvicultural principles to forests. It applies to those who identify target species, and who select and maintain merchantable trees for forest operations.
The unit applies to Forestry technician, Nursery technician, Supervisor (Forestry operations), Tree planter, Silviculturist, Arboriculture technician
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Prepare for silvicultural work | 1.1 Identify and review information on regulatory requirements for sustainable forest operations for various forest types. 1.2 Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that inform sustainable silvicultural methods and techniques. 1.3 Identify target species in line with approved forest operational plan and organisational procedures. 1.4 Review work order and identify and clarify sustainable forest requirements. |
2. Assess forest condition | 2.1 Select and use appropriate techniques and tools to measure tree and stand height. 2.2 Calculate basal area and assess tree dominance and crown vigour using an approved industry process. 2.3 Determine and record standing tree defects. 2.4 Identify and mark merchantable trees in line with organisational procedures. |
3. Implement silvicultural practices | 3.1 Calculate and apply tree retention and stocking criteria according to operational plan. 3.2 Select appropriate silvicultural methods and techniques to meet environmental and production requirements. 3.3 Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance. |
4. Monitor work practices | 4.1 Monitor and maintain sustainable forest practices. 4.2 Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions. 4.3 Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel. 4.4 Identify improved work practices and recommend improvements to sivicultural operations. |
5. Maintain records | 5.1 Revise and update forest operational plan and organisational procedures as required. 5.2 Record and report silvicultural activities to appropriate personnel. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
application of appropriate industry-accepted silvicultural principles including:
slash or harvesting residue burning
scarification
enhancement planting or supplementary planting
fertilisation
thinning
pruning
waste thinning and non-commercial thinning
commercial thinning
harvesting
gapping
follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring sustainable silvicultural principles
monitor and maintain sustainable silvicultural activities
identify and report non-compliant work practices
complete relevant workplace reports.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
principles, policies, procedures and requirements relevant to silviculture operation including the following:
environment protection and biodiversity conservation
silviculture codes and guidelines
ecological sustainability
environmental planning and assessment
threatened species conservation
critical habitat register
native vegetation
federal, state or territory forestry legislation and local government regulations
native forest legislation
specific site environmental management plans
relevant codes of practice, including Safe Work Australia code of practice ‘Managing Risks in Forest Operations’
water catchment management
surface and ground water conservation requirements
relevant Australian and industry standards
hazard reduction policy and procedures
reforestation codes
fisheries and fish passage
National Parks and Wildlife legislation
good neighbour policies
duty of care
heritage and traditional landowner requirements
environmental protection requirements and minimal impact strategies to support the implementation of silviculture practices
growth habits of specific species under soil and environmental conditions
regeneration requirements of plant species being managed
soil conservation and erosion mitigation techniques and their advantages and disadvantages for specific sites and habitats
the conditions that can alter or change and therefore require different silvicultural practices to protect the environment, including
recently declared or potentially rare and endangered species identified
unexpected lora or fauna encountered
new or potential habitat
ecology or ecosystem changes
undergrowth and ground cover
canopy
environmental features
operational conditions
ground conditions
weather conditions
wind
dust
smoke
fire
cultural sensitivity
forest type
land tenure
quality of roads and tracks
effective communication procedures and protocols
procedures for recording and reporting workplace activity.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
forest operations site
workplace requirements and site standards for applying silvicultural principles
resources outlining the principles, policies, procedures and requirements for applying silvicultural principles
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | determine forest growth in terms of number of trees per hectare, height, girth, basal area. |
Oral communication skills to: | work effectively with others. |
Reading skills to: | interpret regulatory requirements and workplace documentation. |
Planning and organising skills to: | identify work requirements in line with site conditions analyse data and requirements to plan effective operations. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Forest Growing and Management
Harvesting and Haulage