Assessor Resource

AHCPCM503A
Specify plants for landscapes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unitapplies to the selection and specification of landscape plants in a range of industries to provide information and advice to a client or organisation in specialist roles within horticulture and applies in addition to the existing standards referencing plant selection in a general application across the industry sectors. This standard applies in wide application to urban and regional areas and in local government and legal contexts in the specification of plants in residential, commercial public open spaces and amenity areas.

This unit covers specifying plants for landscapes and defines the standard required to inspect and identify an extensive range of plants; determine the suitability of a plant for a purpose; evaluate and document the selection of plants; specification of replacement plantings; monitor and record quality control of selections; documenta report of the identification, evaluation and specification process.

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

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

inspect and identify an extensive range of plants

determine the suitability of a plant for a purpose

evaluate and document the selection of plants

specification of replacement plant plantings

monitor and record quality control of selections

documenta report of the identification, evaluation and specification process.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to a digital camera and an easy to use database is recommended for the delivery of this standard. Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

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.

Required skills

identify and select an extensive range of plants common to the region

select and appraise a wide range of soils and growing media

conduct site inspections and site assessments

evaluate plant selections

use comparative techniques

research multiple sources of reference material and taxonomic keys

compile a database of plant specimens and characteristics

monitor quality

apply quality controls

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

plant identification techniques

ethnobotany, plant morphology, physiology, taxonomy and nomenclature

soil characteristics particularly in relation to the local region

soils appraisal techniques

methods of data capture

surface hydrology

problem-solving techniques

methods of quality control

symptoms of plant pests and diseases

basic physiology and life cycle of pests and diseases

AS4419-2003 and AS4454-2003

specific legislation and regulations for horticulture and development

relevant Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation and regulations.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Plants may include:

the range of all plant species and cultivars.

Sources of knowledge may include:

reference books

photo collections

field guides

networking

internet

identified specimens

software programs

collaboration

electronic storage

taxonomic keys

drawings

herbarium collections

colleagues

botanical gardens

other readily available sources.

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
Client is consulted and a brief developed and agreed. 
Site inspection is undertaken according to the client brief and legislative and regulatory requirements. 
Planting area dimensions are estimated for the plant species or cultivar. 
Species and cultivar selection is appropriate to the available dimensions of the aspect and the site. 
Soil volume is proportioned to the size of plant in consideration. 
Environmental conditions are considered and applied to the functional characteristics of the plant. 
The existing soil is appraised for suitability as a growth medium appropriate to the plant species or cultivar. 
Functional life expectancy of site and plantings is determined. 
The selection of the plant is evaluated and the rationale for plant selection is documented. 
Plants are selected as per the client brief and their suitability for the intended purpose. 
Plant function is determined for the precise location within the plan. 
Recommendations are made for soil improvements in accordance with the plant species selected. 
Species and cultivars are matched appropriately to the determined selection criteria for species specific characteristics. 
Plant species or cultivars for replacement or new plantings are recommended. 
Plant selections, selection criteria and notes on quality expectations are documented as specifications. 
Criteria determined for size of stock selection are incorporated to the specifications. 
Selection criteria for mature plants are evaluated against capability and availability of transplanted plants. 
Final selections are assessed against the specified soil, site location and client brief and confirmed. 
Selected plants are monitored for quality and quantities according to the specifications. 
Materials, soils and growing media are monitored for quality according to the specifications. 
Records of quality checks on delivered plants and product are documented. 
A report of the process is documentedand the correlated records are incorporated. 
The client or organisation is presented with the report. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPCM503A - Specify plants for landscapes
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPCM503A - Specify plants for landscapes

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: