Course Title: Conduct biological surveys

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2016

Course Code: MATH7059C

Course Title: Conduct biological surveys

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Sally Heeps & Seb Buckingham
email:

sally.heeps@rmit.edu.au

jose.buckingham@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 200

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are none

Course Description

This unit covers the processes involved with conducting biological surveys and defines the standard required to: identify the scope, objectives and constraints for a biological survey according to client requirements, the biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy; assess the availability of current data and determine data collection and processing needs; identify biological indicators that are repeatable and statistically representative; document survey methods and indicators as a survey plan; schedule survey activities and establish access to the site; conduct a biological survey with data collection staged and recorded according to the survey plan; produce a biological survey report with detailed analysis and conclusion, including a description and assessment of the specified biological components.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

AHCNAR502A Conduct biological surveys

Element:

1. Carry out preliminary design activities for the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

 

1.1 Identify survey scope, objectives and constraints according to client requirements

1.2 Source, collate and evaluate current data relevant to survey requirements

1.3 Develop processes for data collection and processing consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints

1.4 Design survey plan that reflects client requirements and present to client for approval

1.5  Incorporate work health and safety and environmental sustainability and biosecurity procedures into plan

Element:

2.Determine requirements of the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

 

2.1 Identify biological survey indicators and evaluate constraints and opportunities for data collection

2.2 Identify data collection points that are repeatable and statistically representative

2.3 Identify hazards associated with a biological survey, assess risks and develop controls, determine costs, and document in the survey design

2.4 Determine tools, equipment and machinery required for the survey and confirm availability with suppliers, contractors and personnel

2.5 Schedule survey activities and surveyor access according to the survey design

2.6  Document survey procedures and schedules and present to appropriate personnel and client for approval

Element:

3. Conduct the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

 

3.1 Conduct field visit to verify previous data and gather further information on species frequency, distribution and health or habitat values

3.2 Conduct the biological survey according to the survey design

3.3 Monitor survey activities for accuracy, compliance to the survey design and out-of-specification procedures or events

3.4 Undertake staged data collection according to the survey design, scheduling and surveyor access requirements

3.5  Record all monitoring and survey data promptly and accurately according to specifications of the survey design

Element:

4. Compile a biological survey report

Performance Criteria:

 

4.1 Analyse data and draw conclusions based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments

4.2 Prepare a biological survey report that describes survey findings according to the survey scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement and details recommendations for action

4.3  Present report to the client


Learning Outcomes


By the completion of this course students will have gained the following capabilities

  • identify the scope, objectives and constraints for a biological survey according to client requirements, the biological components to be
    surveyed and enterprise policy
  • assess the availability of current data and determine data collection and processing needs
  • identify biological indicators that are repeatable and statistically representative
  • document survey methods and indicators as a survey plan
  • schedule survey activities and establish access to the site
  • conduct a biological survey with data collection staged and recorded according to the survey plan
  • produce a biological survey report with detailed analysis and conclusion, including a description and
    assessment of the specified biological components.


Details of Learning Activities

Classroom instruction,
Practical work,
visits to conservation reserves;
working in groups and survey teams,
consultation with biological survey clients including Banyule City Council and non-government conservation organisations;
Planning and designing biological surveys;
biological report writing;
gathering historical data from DELWP databases;
data analysis; 
legal requirements of biological surveys;
compiling Standard Operating Procedures;
the role and responsibilities of Animal Ethics Committees.


Teaching Schedule

Week No.DateLearning ActivityAssessment
1 9/02/16 Introduction
What is Biodiversity?
Why survey?
Biological classification
 
 
2 16/02/16 Biological classification –
Reptiles & Amphibians
 
 
    18/02/16 Visit from Reptile Awareness Displays of Australia 11:00 onwards  
3  23/02/16 Biological classification –
Class work - Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians
Animal ID references
Dichotomous keys
Accessing habitat information
 
 
4 01/03/16 Bird Identification
Concept of Dichotomous keys
Undertaking biodiversity surveys - Types of Surveys and Reasons for surveys

Preparation for Bird Survey:
• Scope for Bird Survey
• OH&S for field work
• The Scientific method
• Research and collation of background information for bird study
• Methodology
 

 
  Thursday
03/03/16
 
Site assessment for Bird Survey Field Trip
5 8/03/16 Site assessment for Bird Survey
Scope for Bird Survey
Bird Identification
Class work - Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians
Animal ID references
Activity; Bird identification
Dichotomous keys
Accessing habitat information
 
Assessment 1 due
6 15/03/16 Ecological Principles – Basic concepts and terminology. Communities and associations.
Australian Ecosystems
 
 
7 22/03/16 Ecological Principles – Basic concepts and terminology. Communities and associations.
Australian Ecosystems
 
 
8 5/04/16 Ecological Principles – Basic concepts and terminology. Communities and associations.
Australian Ecosystems
 
 
  Thursday
7/04/16
 
First Bird Survey Field Trip
9 12/04/16 Ecological Principles – Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles  
10 19/04/16 Ecological Principles - Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles  
11 26/04/16 Ecological Principles - Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles  
12 03/05/16 No class  
13 10/05/16 Ecological Principles - Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles  
14 17/05/16 Ecological Principles - Biotic and abiotic and limiting factors  
15 24/05/16 Writing report for Bird Survey  
 

Thursday

26/05/16

Second Bird Survey Field Trip
16 31/05/16 Ecological Principles - Biotic and abiotic and limiting factors  
       

  Semester 2 schedule 

 

Notes:

The delivery plan is to be used as a guide only and is correct at time of distribution. Sessions may be deferred and/or cancelled. 

 

Week No.

Date

Learning activity

Assessment

  1.  

4/07/16

Introduction and outline Sem 2

 

Vertebrate and invertebrate surveys

 

  1.  

11/07/16

Biological classification – Invertebrates

Select Methods for collections

‘Life in the Undergrowth’

 

Thursday

14/07/16

Final Bird Survey

Field Trip

  1.  

18/07/16

Report Writing Workshop

 

  1.  

25/07/16

Prepare equipment and Write Methods for invertebrate sampling

 

 

29/07/16

Invertebrate fieldwork

 

  1.  

1/08/16

Laboratory Invertebrate Identification

Dichotomous keys

Summative Task 1 – Bird Survey Report Due

 

4/08/16

Invertebrate fieldwork

 

  1.  

8/08/16

Laboratory Invertebrate Identification

(continued)

 

  1.  

15/08/16

Data Presentation in class

 

  1.  

22/08/16

Invertebrate sampling assignment Due

Summative Task 1 - Banyule Invertebrate Due

 

 

Mid Semester Break, no classes

29 August to 4 Sept

 

  1.  

5/09/16

Vertebrate Survey:

  • Scope for Vertebrate Survey
  • OH&S for field work
  • Research and collation of background information for vertebrate study

Methodology

Animal Ethics

Powerpoint Quiz on small mammal survey methods/protocol.

12/09/16

Scope for Vertebrate Survey

Vertebrate Identification

Class work - Mammals, Reptiles & Amphibians

Accessing habitat information

Practical on use of equipment for camp

 

Proposal

Formative Task 5 Due

  1.  

19/09/16

Wonthaggi Vertebrate Fauna Camp

 

 

  1.  

26/09/16

Data  analysis and presentation

 

3/10/16

Threatened species assignment

Threatened species definition and legal framework

 

10/10/16

Threatened species assignment

Case studies

Formative Task 6 – Management of Threatened species assignment

17/10/16

Report Writing Workshop

Formative Task 3 –

Notebook

24/10/16

Report Writing Workshop

Summative Task 2 – Report: results of wildlife survey

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course may include assignments, practical assessment , project work, tests and reports


Assessment Tasks

 





Assessments demonstrating competence

Title

Due Date

% Mark

  1. Survey Scope and background collection – Bird Survey

Formative Task 1 – Background information collation  and Project proposal - Assignment

8/03/16

5%

  1. Habitat, ecology and food webs assignment

Formative Task 2 – Ecological communities within habitat assignment

17/05/16

15%

  1. Notebook and recording sheets

Formative Task 3 –

Notebook

 17/10/16

5%

  1. Report – Birds of Newport Lakes

Summative Task 1 – Bird survey Report

1/08/16

20%

  1. Method and Results of Banyule Invertebrate survey

Summative Task 1 - Banyule Invertebrate

22/08/16

(15%)

  1. Project Proposal (Scope, ethics & OHS)

Wonthaggi Fauna Vertebrate Survey

Formative Task 5 – Background information collation  and Project proposal

5/09/16

(10%)

  1. Threatened Species

Formative Task 6 – Management of Threatened species assignment

10/10/16

(10%)

  1. Report Wonthaggi Fauna Vertebrate Survey

Summative Task 2 – Report: results of wildlife survey

24/10/16

(20%)


 

 


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment information:
All assessment types must be passed. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the assignment component).
Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51, or emailed to the Coordinator (amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au).
Students requiring extensions longer than 7 days must apply for Special Consideration (see the ‘Help me’ link in blackboard, via myRMIT studies or http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration) For missed assessments such as exams - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
If you miss an assessment  (such as a field trip) due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.

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