Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCARB805 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform mycology assays

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB805 - Perform mycology assays
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely work within a laboratory environment, collect and identify wood decay fungi specimens from the field, prepare in-vitro cultures, and carry out primary experiments on fungi cultures. Work is performed using laboratory hygiene and safety procedures for sampling, sterilisation and cleaning of laboratory equipment and instruments.The unit applies to individuals with highly specialised advanced theoretical and technical knowledge for professional work and research in arboriculture. They exercise advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills and demonstrate complete autonomy, judgement and adaptability in research and analysis for complex problems.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements are to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

trees with fungal infections stipulated in the performance evidence

laboratory suitable for performing the tests stipulated in the performance evidence

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing software

digital imaging device

diagnostic tools, including sounding hammer, trowel, probe, cordless drill

soil testing equipment

digital dissection microscope 10x – 100x

compound microscope

laboratory equipment to perform aseptic techniques in a sterile environment

personal protective equipment and contamination prevention clothing

culture growing environment

specifications:

access to standard procedures and quality standards for growing culture, performing tests and conducting assessments

access to reference materials for fungi identification.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Research pathogenic and saprophytic wood decay fungi species
  • Investigate role of microbiological organisms on tree and forest health
  • Investigate the role and contribution of wood decay fungi to forest and tree health, and responses
  • Examine the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi
  • Investigate the role of fungal species on specific host trees
  • Analyse lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of wood decay fungal species
  • Examine relationship between fungal species and tree defects and failures
  • Analyse biosecurity implications of pathogenic fungal species
  • Review state and federal biosecurity plans and procedures
       
Element: Evaluate decay and identify fungi in trees
  • Observe and evaluate signs and symptoms of fungi causing decay in trees
  • Identify wood decaying fungi to generic level in field
  • Identify non-pathogenic fungi to generic level in field
  • Record location, size, and condition of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites of hollows and cavities in trees
  • Document details of environmental characteristics of fungal affected trees
  • Determine methods of dissemination and infection of fungi to other trees and vegetation
  • Sample wood decay fungi and mycoparasites from trees for in-vitro culture and identification
       
Element: Prepare in-vitro media, cultures
  • Select, check and fit personal protective equipment and contamination prevention clothing according to workplace procedures
  • Decant and prepare standard laboratory chemicals and materials
  • Prepare selective media to isolate and culture mycology specimens
  • Prepare field samples ready for culturing on media
  • Excise specimens and apply to media
  • Maintain cultures and repeat excise procedures to isolate clean specimens
  • Prepare and maintain cultured samples for further testing
  • Update records and store securely according to chain of evidence protocols
       
Element: Conduct laboratory identification and assays
  • Prepare microscope slides of isolated cultures
  • Examine and identify cultured fungal samples
  • Perform laboratory identification of wood decay fungi to generic level
  • Record digital images of identified fungi
  • Perform laboratory assay tests to evaluate fungal characteristics
  • Document experimental assay test results
  • Develop and maintain mycology culture collection and submit to government database and culture collections according to procedures
  • Prepare a diagnostic report on suspected emergency plant pest according to state and federal biosecurity procedures
       


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.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has performed the following:

conducted field identification of a minimum of ten wood decay fungi to generic level

conducted field identification of a minimum of ten non-pathogenic fungi to generic level

analysed the lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of a minimum of ten saprophytic wood decay fungi species on trees

analysed the lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of a minimum of ten pathogenic wood decay fungi species on trees

collected, cultured, analysed and identified a minimum of five wood decay fungi to generic level.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

researched the role of microorganisms in the health of trees and forests

researched the role and contribution of wood decay fungi to forest and tree health, and responses

examined the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi

investigated the role of fungal species on various hosts

analysed lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of wood decay fungi species

examined relationships of fungal species with tree defects and failures

analysed biosecurity implications of pathogenic fungal species

reviewed state and federal biosecurity plans and procedures

observed and evaluated signs and symptoms of fungi causing decay in trees

maintained a record of the following for each mycological specimen:

location, size, and condition of wood decay fungi

presence of mycoparasites

size, condition and extent of hollows and cavities

documented details of environmental characteristics of fungal affected trees

determined methods of dissemination and infection of adjacent trees and vegetation

sampled wood decay fungi and mycoparasites from trees for in-vitro culture and identification

selected, checked and fitted personal protective equipment and contamination prevention clothing

decanted and prepared standard laboratory chemicals and materials

prepared selective mycological culture media to grow and isolate field samples

prepared field samples of fungi for culturing on media

excised fungal specimens and applied to media

maintained cultures and repeated excise procedures to isolate clean specimens

prepared and maintained cultured samples for further testing

updated records and securely stored evidence according to chain of evidence protocols

prepared microscope slides of isolated cultures

examined and identified cultured fungal samples to generic level

recorded digital images of identified fungi

performed laboratory assay tests to evaluate fungal characteristics

documented experimental assay test results

developed and maintained a mycology culture collection and submitted to government databases and culture collections according to procedures

prepared a diagnostic report on a suspected emergency plant pest according to state and federal biosecurity procedures.

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:

microbiological organisms and their impact on the health of forests and trees, including:

bacteria

fungi

protozoa

algae

viruses

fungi in the forest environment, including impact on:

biodiversity

tree nutrition

forest health

environmental biochemistry

pathology

taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi, including:

lifecycles, biology and ecology

important pathogenic and saprophytic tree wood decaying fungi

tree infections of tree components by fungal species and tree failure

visual symptoms of decay and tree decline, including:

dieback

reduced growth rate and chlorosis

presence of basidiocarps

decayed wounds

hollows and cavities

state and federal biosecurity plans and procedures, including:

biosecurity implications of known and threat fungal species

Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan

field identification of fungi and fungal infections of trees, including:

pathogenic fungi

non-pathogenic fungi

recording and describing location, size and condition of wood decay fungi

presence of mycoparasites

size, condition and extent of hollows and cavities

environmental characteristics and growing conditions of trees affected by fungi, including:

site characteristics and site history

soil conditions

climate and microclimatic variables

proximity of adjacent trees and vegetation

movement of people and vehicles

potential impact on assets, property and landscape

tree infection methods and introduction, establishment, spread, and susceptibility of trees

collecting and sampling of fungi in the field, including:

field sampling techniques of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites

storage of collected samples

standard laboratory techniques and safety when preparing, measuring and decanting chemicals and materials

culturing fungi for identification in the laboratory environment, including:

species-specific media and growing environment for culturing fungi

techniques to prepare and extract field samples for culturing

methods of excising and inoculating media with specimens

isolating clean cultures from primary cultures

preparation and maintaining clean cultured samples

laboratory assay tests for fungal species identification, including:

deoxyribonucleic (DNA) based assay techniques

growth rate

temperature range

pathogenicity

mycoparasitism

documentation of assay test results

laboratory identification of wood decay fungi, including:

procedures and techniques for the preparation of microscope slides of isolated cultures

identification of cultured fungal samples

use of guides, keys and reference materials for identifying fungi

development and maintenance of culture collections

the importance and procedures for chain of evidence protocols, including:

secure storage of digital and physical evidence

storing and recording field samples

maintaining accurate records for slides, cultures and DNA samples

digital imaging techniques and importance in evidence and record keeping

maintaining fungi collections, including:

methods of submission to relevant government databases and culture collections

record keeping, reports and documentation requirements, including:

state and federal biosecurity procedures

emergency plant pest (EPP) and PLANTPLAN guidelines.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.
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
Investigate role of microbiological organisms on tree and forest health 
Investigate the role and contribution of wood decay fungi to forest and tree health, and responses 
Examine the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of corticoid and polypore wood decay fungi 
Investigate the role of fungal species on specific host trees 
Analyse lifecycle, biology, ecology and effects of wood decay fungal species 
Examine relationship between fungal species and tree defects and failures 
Analyse biosecurity implications of pathogenic fungal species 
Review state and federal biosecurity plans and procedures 
Observe and evaluate signs and symptoms of fungi causing decay in trees 
Identify wood decaying fungi to generic level in field 
Identify non-pathogenic fungi to generic level in field 
Record location, size, and condition of wood decay fungi and mycoparasites of hollows and cavities in trees 
Document details of environmental characteristics of fungal affected trees 
Determine methods of dissemination and infection of fungi to other trees and vegetation 
Sample wood decay fungi and mycoparasites from trees for in-vitro culture and identification 
Select, check and fit personal protective equipment and contamination prevention clothing according to workplace procedures 
Decant and prepare standard laboratory chemicals and materials 
Prepare selective media to isolate and culture mycology specimens 
Prepare field samples ready for culturing on media 
Excise specimens and apply to media 
Maintain cultures and repeat excise procedures to isolate clean specimens 
Prepare and maintain cultured samples for further testing 
Update records and store securely according to chain of evidence protocols 
Prepare microscope slides of isolated cultures 
Examine and identify cultured fungal samples 
Perform laboratory identification of wood decay fungi to generic level 
Record digital images of identified fungi 
Perform laboratory assay tests to evaluate fungal characteristics 
Document experimental assay test results 
Develop and maintain mycology culture collection and submit to government database and culture collections according to procedures 
Prepare a diagnostic report on suspected emergency plant pest according to state and federal biosecurity procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB805 - Perform mycology assays
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

AHCARB805 - Perform mycology assays

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: