Required skills include

Ability to

identify ecosystem elements and map energy water and nutrient flows through ecosystems

perform ecosystem monitoring

plan using ecosystem process knowledge

apply ecosystem processes to farm production system

use literacy skills to interpret analyse and extract information from a range sources such as professional literature legal documents discussions and workshops and to converse and liaise with industry contacts colleagues and family regarding the ecosystem function

use interpersonal techniques to identify build and use network and support groups

use numeracy skills to estimate and monitor ecosystem processes

use problemsolving skills to enhance farm agro ecosystem

Required knowledge includes

Knowledge of

advantages of ecological agriculture

ecosystem processes energy flows nutrient cycles biological succession predatorprey relationships ecological niche

relationships between ecosystems and agricultural production

application of ecosystem processes to a production system

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this Unit must be able to provide evidence that they can manage an Agroecology production system

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

identify the farm agro ecosystem functions at a systems level

assess the health of existing farm ecosystems

develop plans to enhance farm agro ecosystem

manage and monitor the development of a farm ecosystem

review ecosystem and farm production performance

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the AHC Training Package and can be assessed holistically with other Units

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the AHC10 Training Package and can be assessed holistically with other Units.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under projectrelated conditions real or simulated and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other Units of Competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency of performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and where possible over a number of assessment activities

Energy flows may include:

Nutrient cycles may include:

Disturbance points

Interactions between elements may include:

Health of existing farm ecosystems could be measured by:

Methods that encourage niche development may include:

Appropriate parts of the ecosystem may include: