AHCECR309 — Conduct an ecological and cultural site inspection prior to works

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• confirmed site location and proposed works with supervisor, plans and specifications
• identified key stakeholders, partners and other interested parties
• identified biotic and abiotic elements, including: annual rainfall and dominant weather patterns, gradient, drainage, and local base levels, landform, soil type and native topsoil condition, native vegetation types and classification, altered native vegetation and classification systems that apply, presence or signs of native fauna, apex predators and keystone species, key habitat features
• identified and located protected elements, including at least three of the following: threatened rare or priority taxa, threatened ecological communities, clearing of native vegetation, stormwater flows and containment, registered cultural or heritage sites, declared pest and weed species
• identified and assessed the impact of proposed work on biotic and abiotic elements
• identified previously recorded culture and heritage values
• located known cultural and heritage assets and boundaries on site
• identified and assessed the impact of works on cultural and heritage values
• identified and recorded biosecurity hazards and threats
• inspected site for biosecurity threats
• reconciled landscape, ecological, cultural and biosecurity field observations against recorded or reported documentation
• identified threats posed by works
• compiled risks and threats and reported to supervisor for determination

Knowledge evidence

• maps, plans, Global Positioning System (GPS) and basic spatial methods
• relevant legislation, regulations, agreements, permits and licences relating to: threatened rare or priority taxa, threatened ecological communities, clearing of native vegetation, stormwater flows and containment, registered cultural or heritage sites, declared pest and weed species
• stakeholder groups and consultation processes
• workplace procedure for interactions with stakeholders and the media
• foundation ecological principles for native ecosystems, including: physical aspects – biotic and abiotic factors, ecological functions and processes, including energy transfer and major nutrient flows, major ecosystem properties, including trophic levels, resource availability and population dynamics, ecosystem services, and the value of terrestrial and aquatic native ecosystems to humans
• common forms of damage to biotic and abiotic factors, ecosystem functions and processes
• animal habitat features and impacts on both native and feral species, including water points, thickets, undergrowth, perches and tree hollows
• altered native vegetation, including regrowth or rangeland
• abiotic elements both physical and chemical affecting ecosystems, including: climate – rainfall, wind, temperature, regular and episodic changes and patterns, including seasons, floods and drought, terrain, relief, aspect and altitude, drainage principles, including catchments, gradients and base levels, geology, soil type and chemical properties, including, salt, nutrients and pH, processes of erosion – wind, water, chemical, heat and mass movement, pollution of waterbodies, long-term changes and trends, including climate change
• biotic elements in the ecosystem, including: native and introduced plants and their vegetation classification, native and introduced animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates, microorganisms and their role in the environment
• important landscape habitat features for native fauna
• major threats and causes of degradation to native ecosystems, including the role of local industries, (including at least one of primary production, landscaping, mining or tourism)
• sources and effects of pollution on ecosystems
• value of remnant vegetation, topsoil and original soil profiles in ecological restoration system works
• common biosecurity threats from pest animals, pest plants and diseases
• hygiene practices to mitigate biosecurity threats
• principles of prevention and control of pests and diseases
• local cultural and heritage values
• potential incidental cultural and heritage discoveries
• procedures for responding to incidental cultural and heritage discoveries
• evaluating risk for ecosystems, biosecurity, culture and heritage

Foundation skills

• Reading: Interpret site plans and specifications for site works, and reconcile against actual site conditions
• Writing: Prepare records and reports accurately and succinctly using standard industry terminology

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Questions about assessing AHCECR309