Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to measure and improve the performance of trees.

This unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge of a specific area or a broad field of work and learning and cognitive, technical and communication skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in undertaking complex work within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.

The role involves the self-directed application of specialised knowledge in arboriculture with substantial depth in areas of tree performance and carbon sequestration.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Arboriculture (ARB)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

New unit - no equivalent.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

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 for and demonstrate:

• researching urban forest case studies and management reports
• reviewing best management practices in urban forest planning and management
• researching applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests
• analysing social benefits of urban forests
• analysing psychological benefits of urban forests
• analysing environmental benefits of urban forests
• documenting evidence-based research into a preliminary report on benefits of urban forests
• conducting sampling analysis of an urban forest
• determining required sample size to assess total tree population
• determining accuracy of sample size
• calculating canopy cover, total carbon storage, annual carbon dioxide sequestration, rainfall interception, air pollution removal, energy savings benefit, environmental benefits and amenity benefits
• identifying base financial value for each functional benefit
• calculating financial values of functional and environmental benefits of current tree population
• determining benefits of heat island modification of urban areas
• documenting a preliminary report on total asset valuation of an urban forest
• analysing urban forest structure and functions
• describing urban tree population half-life, vacant planting ratio, species distribution and population diversity
• estimating life expectancy of tree population
• compiling results of urban forest analysis
• identifying urban forest issues within tree population sample area
• determining recommendations for tree species and diversity
• determining extent of current tree planting and replacement programs
• determining volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance
• determining required modifications to planting practices
• determining targets for urban forest improvement
• documenting a report on urban forest performance that provides recommendations for improvement of urban forests.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

• urban forest case studies
• urban forest management reports
• best management practices in urban forest planning and management
• applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests
• social benefits of urban forests
• psychological benefits of urban forests
• environmental benefits of urban forests
• evidence-based research
• analysis of sampling of an urban forest
• requirements of sample sizes to assess total tree populations
• accuracy of sample size
• calculations of canopy cover, total carbon storage, annual carbon dioxide sequestration, rainfall interception, air pollution removal, energy savings benefit, environmental benefits and amenity benefits
• base financial value for functional benefits of urban forests
• calculations of financial values of functional and environmental benefits of tree populations
• benefits of heat island modification of urban areas
• total asset valuation of an urban forest
• urban forest structure and functions
• urban tree population half-life, vacant planting ratio, species distribution and population diversity
• life expectancy of tree population
• urban forest analysis
• identification of urban forest issues within tree population sample areas
• recommendations for tree species and diversity
• tree planting and replacement programs
• volume and rate of planting programs
• modifications to planting practices
• targets for urban forest improvement.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

• equipment:
• computer
• word processing software
• statistical software
• internet connection
• measurement and data collection tools
• materials:
• report on urban forest performance

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

• arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
• current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72