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 conducted entomological research with a focus in any two of the following research themes:
conception, design, and implementation of safe and efficacious control strategy
research and development of alternative pest management strategies
investigative study on the longevity, infectivity and virulence of tree pests
monitoring and assessment of infestation levels of a pest outbreak
design and implementation of biocontrol strategies using predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi
design and implementation of methods for monitoring and assessing population dynamics and distribution of tree pest species
implementation of a comparative ecological field study investigating efficacy and compatibility of pest insect control strategies
research and test a management plan for a phytophagous insect
research and test a breeding program for a beneficial insect
research three model systems to examine tritrophic effects of tree susceptibility
design, implement, investigate, evaluate and report on tritrophic interactions
investigate preference and survivability of insects in a tree environment
design projects investigating the subsequent risk analysis and tests required
development of a tree pest survey strategy
research and report on geographical or climatic distribution of insect pests
coordination with an international and domestic multidisciplinary collaborative research initiative.
There must also be evidence that the individual has:
investigated anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of insects
examined the interaction of insects with trees
researched annualised population and generational behaviour of insects
developed and documented a reference collection of a minimum of one hundred specimens of arboricultural related insects and vectors from at least four orders of insects, annotated with the following:
date of collection
location where insect was collected
host tree/plant on which it was collected/feeds
name of insect to at least the level of genera
designed and developed a database to store information of tree pests and vectors
compiled host climatic and geographic distribution data
investigated and identified natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects
investigated phytophagous and damaging insect–tree dynamics
investigated symbiotic/beneficial insect–tree dynamics
investigated physiological responses of tree resistance to insects
investigated host–pathogen and pathogen–vector interactions
evaluated conditions affecting selection of host trees by subcortical feeding insects and factors associated with attack
investigated and assessed insect transmission of disease
evaluated multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids
determined economic costs of insect damage to trees
evaluated insects as environmental indicators of health and condition
determined insect biological hazards
investigated impact and effects of control strategies on target and non-target organisms
investigated insect resistance to pesticides
investigated and evaluate biological control agents of tree pest control
researched and evaluated plant health management options to manage insect damage
collected, tabulated and analysed data for publications
determined relevance of results to arboriculture
compiled and communicated research and results in a research paper according to standards expected of professional technical peer-reviewed journal
submitted research paper for review
reviewed feedback from reviewer and amended paper
communicated key facts and conclusions to industry in an article or presentation.
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:
research skills and designing research projects, including:
investigative skills and monitoring techniques
defining the scope and purpose of research activity
data collection, management and storage
data processing, analysis and modelling
statistics and data interpretation
design and development of formal research papers and the process of peer-reviewed publication
design and development of industry papers and presentations for communication of research and findings
entomology and the impact of insects on our environment, including:
anatomical, morphological and taxonomical features of different classes of insects
insect behaviour, ecology and nutrition and their interaction with trees
population and generational behaviour and phenology of insects and impact on plants and trees over time
host, climatic and geographic distribution of insects
insects as indicators of environmental health
collecting, storing and documenting insect reference collections, including:
catching and preserving techniques
taxonomic and naming conventions for insects
tagging and labelling specimens
design and construction of databases and data entry procedures
insects and their economic impact on society and health of trees, including:
natural antagonists, predators and parasitoids of insects
phytophagous and damaging insects on tree dynamics
symbiotic and beneficial insects and impact on tree dynamics
natural responses of trees to insect invasion
host-pathogen and pathogen-vector interactions
subcortical feeding insects and conditions for selecting host trees
factors associated with successful attack
insect as a vector for transmission of disease
insects as biological hazards
a systems approach to multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen or parasitoids
pest insect control strategies, their advantages and disadvantages, including:
mechanical control
chemical control and pesticide resistance
biological control agents
managing the environment and tree health to offset infestations
integrated pest management (IPM)
direct and indirect impact of chemical pesticides and biocontrol agents on target and off-target organisms.
Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:
physical conditions:
trees and forests with insect populations
resources, equipment and materials:
computer with word processing, database and statistical analysis software
digital imaging device
diagnostic tools, including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill
soil testing equipment
digital dissection microscope 10x – 100x
compound microscope
microtome, staining and slide mounting equipment
histochemical stains
specifications:
standard procedures and quality standards for performing tests and analysis
reference materials and keys for insect identification.
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.