Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Research urban forest practices and applications
  2. Analyse and report on urban forest benefits
  3. Determine values of urban forest benefits
  4. Analyse and compile results
  5. Determine and report on urban forests improvements

Performance Evidence

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.

Knowledge Evidence

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.