Range of Variables The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available |
What comprises a management plan? | Management plans define the core principles, objectives and responsibilities of the managing agent, cover the allocation of enterprise resources, and set parameters for resource access and use. |
What management plan objectives may be identified for the natural resource area? | These may include objectives to provide habitat for wildlife and native predators (such as insect eating birds, parasitic wasps), maintain biodiversity, moderate local weather conditions (e.g., wind speed, rainfall run-off, watertable recharge, provide shade), selective removal of tree limbs for firewood and timber, selective harvest of seed for revegetation or human consumption, genetic resource for plant propagation and medicinal components, contribution to sustainable land use, aesthetic contribution to enterprise(such as a home-stay farm, for tourism). |
Who may be the client? | The client may be a government agency or associated body, private landholder, or community group. |
What resources may be accessed to develop the natural resource management plan? | This may include topographical, vegetation, and aerial maps, government, university and library based consultation, literature and internet resources, local written and oral histories of migrant and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities in the area, catchment area information and catchment management associations, local experts such as flora and fauna preservation, cultivation and identification community groups. |
What landscape values are relevant to this competency standard? | Visual amenity, biodiversity, recreation and tourism, conservation, water and air quality, and cultural values. |
What features and characteristics may be included in the site description? | These may include boundaries, fences, gates, slope gradient, contours, water courses, current land use, buildings and structures, eroded areas, saline areas, soil toxicity, waterlogged areas, water table recharge and discharge sites, water-repellent soils, predominant wind directions, annual rainfall, surface stones and rocks, soil types and specific historic or cultural features. |
What historical modifications may be identified for the natural resource area? | These may include clearance, grazing, dry land and irrigated cropping, fire management for grass stimulation, and natural events, such as wildfire, flooding and drought. |
What land uses may be relevant to this competency standard? | Agricultural, horticultural, silvicultural, recreational, industrial, commercial, and cultural. |
What may be included under the physical condition of a site? | Impacts from weeds, pests, erosion, soil disturbance, run-off, water quality, people, vehicle intrusions, soil compaction, and adjacent land use. |
What biological characteristics are relevant? | Native and introduced plants and animals, habitats, vegetation structure, and rare and endangered species. |
What conservation issues may be identified for action? | Some examples of conservation issues may include priorities for protection, conservation and restoration works for key native flora and fauna species, disease and pest flora and fauna control, nutritional issues, and erosion, salinity and toxicity repair works and habitat rehabilitation and restoration of balance. |
What may be included under land capability? | Suitability of recreational use, engineering works, conservation values, wildlife potential, soil profiles, visual amenity, agricultural and horticultural production. |
What presentation techniques may be utilised to effectively present a description of the wetland site? | These may include video and photographic footage, documented historical, biological, physical and cultural descriptions, graphed and charted statistics, references and illustrations. |
What management strategies may be identified for the natural resource management plan? | These should address the conservation priorities identified in the site description and may include objectives to protect the natural resource area from grazing and pest animals, control pest plants and diseases, control human impact, manage fire events (e.g., controlled use of hot and cold fires, wildfire prevention), establish vegetation links to nearby habitat islands, remove and redirect infrastructure such as roads, troughs and fences, conserve and enhance biodiversity and habitat balance, and monitor native habitats over time. |
What availableresources may influence the selection and priority of management objectives? | Resource availability issues may include private finance, government funding assistance, natural resource regulations and legislation, consideration for neighbouring enterprises, community in-kind support, existing indigenous flora and fauna, labour and existing administration facilities and infrastructure. |
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet. |
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