1 of 5 level: 5 credit: 3 planned review date: November 2007 sub-field: purpose: Pest Management This unit standard is for people involved with designing, and reporting resulting results of programmes carried out in rural environments using a Geographic Information System (GIS). People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the benefits and uses of a GIS, file types used in GIS, and data and map projections for designing possum population monitoring programmes; map and measure the management area and strata, and identify and measure the possum habitat area for each stratum, for possum population monitoring using GIS; select and map random starting points, identify and map trap-lines using GIS; and analyse and report results using GIS. entry information: accreditation option: moderation option: Recommended Unit 22117, Design a possum population monitoring programme, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and teaching professional in the same field from another provider. A centrally established and directed moderation system has been set up by the Primary Industry Training Organisation. special notes: 1 Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the: Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Conservation Act 1987, Biosecurity Act 1993, Local Government Act 1974, National Parks Act 1980, Reserves Act 1977, Resource Management Act 1991, Animal Welfare Act 1999, Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Wildlife Act 1953, and Wild Animal Control Act 1977.
2 of 5 2 Reference National Possum Control Agencies, Possum population monitoring: using the trap-catch method: protocol. (Wellington: 2004). ISBN-0-9583736-0-4, (referred to as the protocol ). The protocol is the nationally accepted standard for using the trap-catch method. 3 Definitions Residual trap-catch (RTC) index a method of determining relative possum abundance. Contract the monitoring contract that the monitoring contractor is engaged under. The contract will specify a range of requirements that have been agreed between the monitoring contractor and the principal or client. The principal or client may be a local authority, government department, or a private organisation. Elements and Performance Criteria element 1 Describe the benefits and uses of a GIS, file types used in GIS, and data and map projections for designing programmes. 1.1 GIS is described in terms of its benefits and uses for designing possum population monitoring programmes. 1.2 File types used in GIS are described and differentiated in terms of their file format. raster; vector-points, lines, polygons. 1.3 Data and map projections are described in terms of their potential effects on GIS data used for designing and interpreting possum monitoring programmes.
3 of 5 element 2 Map and measure the management area and strata, and identify and measure the possum habitat area for each stratum, for using GIS. 2.1 A GIS is opened and management area is drawn on a minimum 1:50,000 scale. may include but is not limited to forest, forest/pasture margin, farmland. 2.2 The total management area and strata are calculated. evidence is required for at least two strata. 2.3 Percentage of habitat that falls within management area is determined from possum habitat data. 2.4 Drawings are saved and archived in a manner in which they are easily identifiable and retrievable. element 3 Select and map random starting points, and identify and map trap-lines using GIS. 3.1 Random starting points for trap-lines are selected and mapped using GIS in accordance with habitat type, and the protocol, and contract requirements. habitat type forest, forest/pasture margin, farmland. 3.2 A table of NZ map grid (NZMG) coordinates for line start points is created from a point file. 3.3 Trap-lines are identified and mapped from each random starting point using GIS in accordance with habitat type, the protocol, and contract requirements. habitat type forest, forest/pasture margin, farmland; estimated habitat, accurately mapped habitat.
4 of 5 3.4 Map of area meets minimum cartographic standards. minimum cartographic standards include but are not limited to title, date, key, north arrow, scale bar, line location, operational boundaries, x and y grid coordinates. element 4 Analyse and report results using GIS. 4.1 Field sheet of geographical positioning system (GPS) coordinates are imported into GIS to check consistency with recommended start points, and a point file is created which places the points in GIS to the same location as in NZMG. 4.2 Data is displayed to identify specified attributes. classify using two or more symbols, data query. 4.3 The format of the report meets contract requirements, and minimum cartographic standards as required. minimum cartographic standards include but are not limited to title, date, key, north arrow, scale bar, line location, operational boundaries, x and y grid coordinates, copyright acknowledgement for Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), residual trap-catch (RTC) index results on map, lines labelled with name and RTC index results. Comments on this unit standard Please contact Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard. Please Note Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
5 of 5 Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements. This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0052 which can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.