Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: EASC5032C
Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5161 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Course Contact: Nevil Schultz
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4221
Course Contact Email: nevil.schultz@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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
None
Course Description
To provide learners with the knowledge and skills to design a biological survey of a range of organisms in remnant native plant communities, in urban, in rural and in park settings. The course will then cover investigation of data collection, statistical relevance and interpretation of results. There will be opportunities to conduct planned surveys for vertebrates in particular biological communities. Results of these surveys will be reported into formal records.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
RTC5519A Conduct biological surveys |
Element: |
1 Carry out preliminary design activities for the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
Scope, objectives and constraints are identified according to client requirements, biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy. |
Element: |
3 Conduct the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
Field visits are conducted to verify and consolidate previously collected data and to gather further information on species frequency, distribution, health and/or habitat values. |
Element: |
4 Compile a biological survey report |
Performance Criteria: |
Analysis of collected data is undertaken according to industry policies and guidelines. Conclusions about the biological survey are drawn from relevant information and are based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments. |
Element: |
2 Determine requirements of the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
Survey indicators are identified and constraints and opportunities for data collection identified and evaluated. |
Learning Outcomes
1 . Carry out preliminary design activities for the biological survey Survey, scope, objectives and constraints are identified according to client requirements, biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy.
1. All current data relevant to survey requirements is sourced, collated and evaluated according to enterprise policy.
Processes for data collection are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
A survey design that reflects client requirements and survey scope, objectives and constraints is developed and presented to the client for discussion and approval.
2 . Determine requirements of the biological survey.
Survey indicators are identified and constraints and opportunities for data collection identified and evaluated.
Data collection points are identified that are repeatable and
statistically representative for the biological survey.
OHS hazards associated with conducting a biological survey are identified, risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines, costed and documented in the survey design. Tools, equipment and machinery required for the biological survey are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.
Scheduling of survey activities and surveyor access are determined according to the survey design.
Survey procedures and schedules are documented according to scientific conventions and the survey scope and objectives, and are presented to appropriate personnel and the client for briefing and acceptance.
3.. Conduct the biological survey.
Field visits are conducted to verify and consolidate previously collected data and to gather further information on species frequency, distribution, health and/or habitat values.
The biological survey is conducted according to the survey design and enterprise policy.
Survey activities are monitored for accuracy, compliance to the survey design and out-of-specification procedures or events. Staged data collection is undertaken according to survey design, survey-scheduling and surveyor access requirements. All monitoring and survey data is recorded promptly and accurately, according to the specifications of the survey design.
4 . Compile a biological survey report.
Analysis of collected data is undertaken according to industry policies and guidelines. Conclusions about the biological survey are drawn from relevant information and are based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments.
A biological survey report is produced which conforms to industry standards for presentation, structure and content, and is presented to the client for acceptance. The report describes biological survey findings according to the survey
scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement & details recommendations for action.
Details of Learning Activities
Case Study Analysis, 3 Guest Speakers, Excursions to Urban and Regional sies, Classroom exercises, On-line and fixed media use
Teaching Schedule
Week No | Date | Topic | Tasks, Learning Activity | Due Date |
SEMESTER ONE | ||||
1 | 7 Feb | Intro & Planning for Surveys | ||
2 | 14 Feb | Objectives of Biological Surveys | DVD on Basic Whole Survey Techniques | |
3 | 21 Feb | Vertebrate Survey Methods - Birds in a peri-urban setting | ||
4 | 28 Feb | Survey Case Study I | ||
5 | 7 Mar | Survey Case continued | ||
6 |
14 Mar |
Exotic & Native bird Survey |
Excursion 1 to Urban Bird Habitat (Report required) |
Case Study Analysis due |
7 | 21 Mar | Report on Survey In-class | ||
8 | 28 March | Mammal Survey Techniques I | Permits, AEC, BAW, relevant Legislation Task | |
9 | 4 April | Mammal Survey techniques II | Wonthaggi DVD | |
10 | 11 April | Bird Survey report finalisation | Urban Bird Habitat Report & Permits task Due |
|
11 | 18 April | Reptile & Amphibian Surveys | Guest Speaker | |
25 April | VACATION | |||
12 | 2 May | Students Absent to Heywood | ||
13 | 9 May | Invertebrate Surveys I | Nets, Light & Pitfall Traps | |
14 | 16 May | Invertebrate Surveys II | Guest Speaker, Vic Entom. | |
15 | 23 May | Excursion 2- Invertebrate Survey | ||
16 | 30 May | Group Work on Invert talks | ||
17 | 6 Jun | Invert Group Talks | Group Talks on invert Survey | |
18 | ||||
MID YEAR VACATION | ||||
SEMESTER TWO | ||||
1 | 11 July | Fish Surveys | ||
2 | 18 July | Plant Survey Methods | ||
3 | 25 July | Urban Plant Survey | Excursion 3 | |
4 | 1 Aug | Surveying Threatened Species in Fragmented Habitat | Community Monitoring Projects |
|
5 |
8 Aug |
National Park and other Surveys | Habitat 141 & Southern Ark project questions | Plant Survey Report Due |
6 |
15 Aug |
Scientific conventions and principles in listing endangered species | FFG, EPBC | |
7 | 22 | Test Revision | ||
8 | 29 Aug | Mid Semester Test | Test on Underpinning Knowledge | |
9 | 5 Sept | Designing Field Survey according to Client brief | ||
10 | 12 Sept | Scoping the Field Survey | ||
11 | 19 Sept | Finalise Field Survey Design | Submit Field Survey Plan | |
Vacation
|
||||
12 | 3 Oct | Wonthaggi Biological Survey | ||
13 | 10 Oct | Survey Results Analysis | ||
14 | 17 Oct | Report Draft | Field Survey draft Report Due | |
15 | 24 Oct | Report Finalised | Field Survey Report Due | |
16 | 31 Oct | Exam Period (No final exam in this course) |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Southwood, T.R., Henderson, P.A., (2000) Ecological methods 3rd Ed. Blackwell Science, London |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment will be in the form of graded assesment, whereby students will be given a grade in addition to a CA or NYC result.
Students will be assessed on teamwork, background preparation for surveys, implementation of survey methods and a written report, which forms the largest part of the graded assessment compononent
Assessment Tasks
Case Study Analysis CA or NYC
Urban Bird Survey Report CA or NYC
Group Presentation of Invertebrate Survey Results CA or NYC
Urban Woodland Plant Survey Report CA or NYC
Mid Semester 2 Test 20%
Field Survey Plan CA or NYC
Field Survey Report including draft 80%
Assessment Matrix
Element | Case Study Analysis | Urban Survey |
Group Presentation Invertebrates |
Urban Woodland Plant Survey | Mid Semester 2 Test |
Field Survey Plan |
Field Survey Report |
Carry out preliminary design activities | X | X | X | X | X | ||
Determine requirements for biological survey |
X | X | X | X | X | ||
Conduct Biological Survey | X | X | |||||
Compile a Biological Survey Report | X | X | X |
Course Overview: Access Course Overview