Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for site inspection
- Obtain and use maps, photos and related documentation to gain a preliminary understanding of site features.
- Collect site-specific or regional data on expected flora, fauna, soils and climate.
- Review site history and previous environmental or ecological studies, if available.
- Review all emergency plans, risk assessments, and safety and environmental management requirements associated with the field activities.
- Review legislative and planning instruments applicable to current and future site usage.
- Confirm site access requirements and identify potential site hazards.
- Conduct initial site survey
- Sketch, map and/or photograph the site.
- Observe and record the surface geology and geomorphology of the site.
- Observe and record hydrology of the site.
- Observe and record the major flora of the site.
- Observe and record evidence of site fauna.
- Observe and record infrastructure and other modifications to the site.
- Consider the potential for presence of cultural and indigenous heritage items and record, as necessary.
- Check for evidence of illegal or inappropriate activities.
- Make an initial assessment of site condition
- Use geomorphological and hydrological observations to describe surface condition and infer potential future impacts.
- Make inferences on apparent ecological health of the site to plan for an initial ecological study of the site.
- Determine the physical, chemical and biological parameters that would need to be measured and/or sampled during subsequent ecological appraisal of the site.
- Prepare for field study
- Identify and describe the biological and chemical components of interest, sampling areas and field techniques to be used.
- Identify, obtain and check required equipment and materials required for field study.
- Securely stow all field equipment in vehicle to prevent damage in transit.
- Safely transport all field equipment to site and prepare it for use.
- Perform a basic ecological field study of the site
- Perform ecological sampling for abundance and diversity parameters using the general techniques of transects and quadrats.
- Record appropriate descriptions of the habitat structure.
- Perform sampling for simple population, demographic and age structure parameters.
- Perform simple sampling and measurements on abiotic components.
- Perform simple targeted species sampling.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policy, codes of practice and accepted workplace procedures.
- Finalise field study
- Ensure all samples and data are stored safely.
- Rehabilitate sampling sites to render them safe and minimise environmental impacts.
- Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.
- Pack and safely transport all samples, equipment and supplies back to home base.
- Ensure dispatch of collected samples for subsequent analysis, as necessary.
- Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.
- Process and present field data
- Maintain a safe work environment