Assessor Resource

AHCARB609
Measure and improve the performance of urban forests

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to research, analyse the values, analyse the performance, and develop management recommendations to improve the performance of an urban forest.

The unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge of urban forest management. They have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills and demonstrate autonomy and judgement for a defined area of responsibility, undertaking complex work with broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.

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

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has measured and improved the performance of an urban forest, including:

researched urban forest case studies and management reports

reviewed best management practices in urban forest planning and management

researched applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests

analysed and documented a preliminary report of social and environmental benefits of urban forests

conducted sampling analysis of a specified urban forest

determined sample size required to accurately assess total tree population

determined the quantitative values of urban forest, energy savings, environmental and amenity benefits for the following:

canopy cover

total carbon storage and annual carbon dioxide sequestration

rainfall interception

air pollution removal

identified base financial value for each functional benefit

calculated financial values of functional and environmental benefits of tree population

determined benefits of urban heat island modification

documented a preliminary report on total asset valuation of urban forest

analysed urban forest structure and function, covering the following in the analysis:

urban tree population half-life

vacant planting ratio

species distribution

population diversity

estimated life expectancy of tree population

compiled results of urban forest analysis

identified urban forest issues within tree population sample area

determined recommendations for tree species and diversity

determined extent of current tree planting and replacement programs

determined volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance

determined required modifications to planting practices

determined targets for urban forest improvement

documented a report on urban forest performance and provided recommendations for improvement.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

urban forests and their management, including:

sources of reports and case studies

best practices in urban forest planning and management

measuring the performance of urban forests and their management

applications and functional tools for measuring benefits of urban forests

analysing the benefits of urban forests, including:

economic and political

physical and psychological on community

environmental and ecological

evidence-based research, including what it is and how it is conducted

sampling techniques and their analysis

urban forests and their social, environmental and economic implications, including:

calculating canopy cover and estimating carbon storage and annual carbon dioxide sequestration

rainfall interception

air pollution removal

energy savings benefit

environmental benefits

amenity benefits

valuing urban forests from an economic perspective, including:

financial value for functional benefits

calculations of financial values of functional and environmental benefits

concepts of urban heat island and its modification with urban forests

determining the total asset valuation

the structure, function and faults of urban forests, including:

urban tree population life expectancy

vacant planting ratio

species distribution and population diversity

urban forest analysis techniques

identifying urban forest issues within tree populations

defining problems and compiling recommendations for tree species and diversity, including:

tree planting and replacement programs

volume and rate of planting programs

modifications to planting practices

targets for urban forest improvement

report writing and structure of urban forest documents and reports.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

an urban forest

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing software and statistical analysis software

measurement and data collection tools

specifications:

urban forest performance reports, research materials and case studies.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has measured and improved the performance of an urban forest, including:

researched urban forest case studies and management reports

reviewed best management practices in urban forest planning and management

researched applications and functional tools measuring benefits of urban forests

analysed and documented a preliminary report of social and environmental benefits of urban forests

conducted sampling analysis of a specified urban forest

determined sample size required to accurately assess total tree population

determined the quantitative values of urban forest, energy savings, environmental and amenity benefits for the following:

canopy cover

total carbon storage and annual carbon dioxide sequestration

rainfall interception

air pollution removal

identified base financial value for each functional benefit

calculated financial values of functional and environmental benefits of tree population

determined benefits of urban heat island modification

documented a preliminary report on total asset valuation of urban forest

analysed urban forest structure and function, covering the following in the analysis:

urban tree population half-life

vacant planting ratio

species distribution

population diversity

estimated life expectancy of tree population

compiled results of urban forest analysis

identified urban forest issues within tree population sample area

determined recommendations for tree species and diversity

determined extent of current tree planting and replacement programs

determined volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance

determined required modifications to planting practices

determined targets for urban forest improvement

documented a report on urban forest performance and provided recommendations for improvement.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

urban forests and their management, including:

sources of reports and case studies

best practices in urban forest planning and management

measuring the performance of urban forests and their management

applications and functional tools for measuring benefits of urban forests

analysing the benefits of urban forests, including:

economic and political

physical and psychological on community

environmental and ecological

evidence-based research, including what it is and how it is conducted

sampling techniques and their analysis

urban forests and their social, environmental and economic implications, including:

calculating canopy cover and estimating carbon storage and annual carbon dioxide sequestration

rainfall interception

air pollution removal

energy savings benefit

environmental benefits

amenity benefits

valuing urban forests from an economic perspective, including:

financial value for functional benefits

calculations of financial values of functional and environmental benefits

concepts of urban heat island and its modification with urban forests

determining the total asset valuation

the structure, function and faults of urban forests, including:

urban tree population life expectancy

vacant planting ratio

species distribution and population diversity

urban forest analysis techniques

identifying urban forest issues within tree populations

defining problems and compiling recommendations for tree species and diversity, including:

tree planting and replacement programs

volume and rate of planting programs

modifications to planting practices

targets for urban forest improvement

report writing and structure of urban forest documents and reports.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

an urban forest

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing software and statistical analysis software

measurement and data collection tools

specifications:

urban forest performance reports, research materials and case studies.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Research urban forest case studies and management reports 
Review best management practices in urban forest planning and management 
Research applications and functional tools for measuring benefits of urban forests 
Analyse economic, social and environmental benefits of urban forests 
Document evidence-based research into a preliminary report on benefits of urban forests 
Conduct sampling analysis of specified urban forest 
Determine required sample size to assess total tree population 
Determine accuracy of sample size 
Determine the quantitative values of urban forest environmental benefits 
Identify base financial value for functional benefit 
Calculate financial values of functional and environmental benefits of current tree population 
Determine benefits of heat island modification of urban areas 
Document a preliminary report on total asset valuation of an urban forest 
Analyse urban forest structure and function 
Estimate life expectancy of tree population 
Compile results of urban forest analysis 
Identify urban forest issues within tree population sample area 
Determine recommendations for tree species and diversity 
Determine extent of current tree planting and replacement programs 
Determine volume and rate of planting programs required for improvements to urban forest performance 
Determine required modifications to planting practices 
Determine targets for urban forest improvement 
Document urban forest performance and provide recommendations for improvement in a report 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB609 - Measure and improve the performance of urban forests
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB609 - Measure and improve the performance of urban forests

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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