Course Title: Conduct biological surveys

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

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

The Course Contact is:

Nevil Schultz

nevil.schultz@rmit.edu.au   Room 51.7.05    Phone: 9925 4221

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. Survey scope, objectives and constraints are identified according to client requirements, biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy.
1.2. All current data relevant to survey requirements is sourced, collated and evaluated according to enterprise policy.
1.3. Processes for data collection are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
1.4. Processes for data processing are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
1.5. A survey design that reflects client requirements and survey scope, objectives and constraints is developed and presented to the client for discussion and approval.
 

Element:

2.Determine requirements of the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Survey indicators are identified and constraints and opportunities for data collection identified and evaluated.
2.2. Data collection points are identified that are repeatable and statistically representative for the biological survey.
2.3. 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.
2.4. Tools, equipment and machinery required for the biological survey are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.
2.5. Scheduling of survey activities and surveyor access are determined according to the survey design.
2.6. 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.
 

Element:

3. Conduct the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

3.2. The biological survey is conducted according to the survey design and enterprise policy.
3.3. Survey activities are monitored for accuracy, compliance to the survey design and out-of-specification procedures or events.
3.4. Staged data collection is undertaken according to survey design, survey scheduling and surveyor access requirements.
3.5. All monitoring and survey data is recorded promptly and accurately, according to the specifications of the survey design.
 

Element:

4. Compile a biological survey report

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Analysis of collected data is undertaken according to industry policies and guidelines.
4.2. Conclusions about the biological survey are drawn from relevant information and are based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments.
4.3. A biological survey report is produced which conforms to industry standards for presentation, structure and content, and is presented to the client for acceptance.
4.4. The report describes biological survey findings according to the survey scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement and details recommendations for action.
 

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, Local Conservation reserve visits, Working in Survey Teams, Consultation with potential biological survey clients, Collaboration with non-government conservation organisations, Liaison with Parks Victoria, Guest Speakers, Discussion groups, Survey Design Work, Reviewing biological reports, Gathering past data to inform surveys and interpretation of results, researching Legal requirements of surveys, Designing Client Briefs, Whole Biological Survey Field Trip, Data Analysis, Report Writing.


Teaching Schedule

2013 Dates

Conduct Biological Surveys

 Class Date TopicPrac/Activity Assessment  Due Date 13 Feb  Biological Classification Systems 1 Intro to resources, field work dates   20 Feb Biological Classification Systems 2 Keys for Phyla Class & Order in Invertebrates   27 Feb Launch Field Survey  Scoping Assignment(Assess 1) Client Requirements scale & timing of a survey   6 Mar Amphibian Research Task 

  Component 1 Scoping

Amphibian Survey Rationale & Method due

due 8 Mar

 13 Mar

 Avifauna

recognition

 Avifauna Survey Techniques

Guest Speaker

 

  20 Mar  Bird Survey Field Trip 20 March Component 2

Client Requirements for an Avifauna Survey due

 due 22 Mar27 MarReptile Surveys    28 March -  3 April  MID SEMESTER BREAK  10 AprilMammalian Surveys    Scoping Assignment Due April 19 17 April Launch Client Brief for a Biological Survey

 OHS , Risk Management at Survey Sites

 

   24 April  Prac: Invertebrate Identification  1 May Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey Techniques  Invertebrate Field Survey 10 April   8 May  Heywood   15 MayLegal Requirements for Field Surveys    22 May

 Aquatic Vertebrate

Recognition

 Guest Speaker

(Possible Field Trip)

   29 May Materials Estimation & Costing Biological Surveys Discussion on Client Briefs Client Brief Draft due Due 27 May 5 June 

Client Briefing Talks

 

Client Brief Talks Talks 5 Jun 12 June Client Briefing Talks
  

 Client Brief

Talks

 Biological Survey Client Brief due 14 June 17 June-7 July  MID YEAR BREAK   10 JulyFactors Influencing Population Numbers 1    17 July Factors Influencing Population Numbers  2    24 JulyIntroduction to Data Review Launch Data Review Assignment Guest Speaker  31 July

Ecological Principles & terminology

 

    7 Aug  Energy Flows & Trophic Structures of Communities Biomass Calculation Practical   14 Aug Randomising Surveys, Interpretation of Survey results Quiz covering 10&17 July, 31Jul & 7 Aug   21 Aug  Data Review Resources   28 AugLegal protection for Flora & Fauna    4 Sept  Plant Recognition   

 11 Sept

 Plant Survey Methods Revisiting Vegetation Quality Assessment

 Data Review Part A Assignment Due

Data Review Asst 3  Part A Due 13 Sept 18 Sept Codes of Practice for Fauna Surveys Wonthaggi Field Survey Report Specification   25 Sept  MID SEM BREAK   2 Oct  Wonthaggi Survey Preparation   8 - 12 Oct  Wonthaggi Field Week Conduct Whole Biological Survey Data Review Parts B & C 16 Oct Class Data Analysis of Survey Findings Implications given the conservation status of the survey site   23 Oct   Wonthaggi Field Survey Report Due 30 Oct Collection of Data Review Materials   


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

1. Scoping Biological Survey Assignment, ungraded (CA/NYC)  

Component 1 due: 8th March     Component 2 due: 22nd March   Final Scoping document due 19 April

2. Client brief for a biological survey (CA/NYC)  Client Brief Talks  held  5th & 12th June. Final Briefing  Document Due  14 June

3. Survey Site Data Review  & Staging Assignment. (CA/NYC)

Part A: Compilation & Reporting of Past Site Data   Due: 13 Sept       Parts B (field data log) & Part C (Interim findings Report) completed by 10th October

4. Field Survey Report. Graded (CHD,CDI, CC, CA, NYC)


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Course Nominal Length is 200 Hours comprising:

108 Class Contact Hours

48 Hours Field Work

40 Hours Research and Assignment Preparation

4 Hours Teacher Consultation

Course Overview: Access Course Overview