Training Package s1

Training Package Conservation and Land Management (RTD02) HSC Requirements and Advice Title Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens

This competency standard covers the process of collecting and preserving plant specimens for recording or HSC Indicative Hours Unit code identification purposes. It requires the ability to collect appropriate plant specimens, prepare and preserve them and to record data. Collecting, preparing and preserving plant specimens requires knowledge of plant lifecycles, RTD2004A plant recognition, simple taxonomic keys, and legislative limitations on the collection of flora including threatened species. 15

Evidence Guide What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole? Competence in collecting, preparing and preserving plant specimens requires evidence that plants have been appropriately collected, preserved and catalogued to enterprise standards. The skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different plants from other areas.

What specific knowledge is What specific skills are Are there other competency HSC Requirements needed to achieve the needed to achieve the standards that could be Assessment guide performance criteria? performance criteria? assessed with this one? and Advice

Knowledge and understanding are To achieve the performance This competency standard could be For information about assessing Key Terms and Concepts essential to apply this standard in criteria, some complementary assessed on its own or in this competency standard for the workplace, to transfer the skills skills are required. These skills combination with other consistent performance and  archiving to other contexts and to deal with include the ability to: competencies relevant to the job where and how it may be  botanical name  field observations unplanned events. The knowledge  collect specimen function. assessed, refer to the Assessment  flora requirements for this unit are listed  press plant Guidelines for this Training below: Package.  habitat  record and catalogue data.  recognition of plants to be  herbarium collected  herbarium sheets  legislative limitations on the  National Parks and Wildlife collection of flora (including Amendment Act 2001 (NSW) – this threatened species). act amends the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW)  National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002 (NSW)  plant features  plant lifecycle  plant press  plant recognition  plant specimens  preservation methods

Primary Industries Curriculum Framework October 2003 RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens 106 What specific knowledge is What specific skills are Are there other competency HSC Requirements needed to achieve the needed to achieve the standards that could be Assessment guide performance criteria? performance criteria? assessed with this one? and Advice

 rare and endangered species  recording and cataloguing of specimens  tagging  taxonomic keys  threatened species  Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002 (NSW) – this act amends the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW)

Primary Industries Curriculum Framework October 2003 RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens 107 Element Performance Criteria Range of Variables HSC Requirements and Advice

1 Collect specimen 1.1 Sample collected is the largest The Range of Variables defines the different Learning experiences for the HSC must address: practical to fit on herbarium sheet. contexts, work environments and parameters An awareness of the use of a range of collection governing the performance of this competency equipment including: standard. The variables chosen in training and  camera assessment will need to reflect local industry and  plastic bags regional contexts.  plant tags For more information on contexts, environment  secateurs and variables for training and assessment refer to  notepaper and folder the Sector Booklet.  pens and pencils  specimen storage and transport equipment. What types of plants may be included? A basic understanding of the legislative limitations All life forms including trees, shrubs, ground on the collection of flora according to: covers, herbs, epiphytes and saprophytes.  Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002 (NSW) – this act amends the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW)  National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act 2001 (NSW) – this act amends the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW)  National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002 (NSW).

1.2 Sample includes features required for Learning experiences for the HSC must address: positive identification, e.g., flowers An understanding of plant lifecycles to ensure and fruit, leaves and roots. collected samples contain plant features necessary for positive identification including:  flowers  fruits which may have to be collected at a later date  stem bearing typical healthy buds  roots.

1.3 Particular features are collected following enterprise procedures or guidelines.

1.4 Observations regarding locality, habit How may specimens be recorded and Learning experiences for the HSC must address: of plant, etc., are recorded following catalogued? enterprise procedure. Records of field observations including: Either by manual or electronic means.  collector’s name

 collector’s number  date  locality  habitat  shape and size of plant  colour and scent of flowers  texture  type of bark  weather conditions.

1.5 Individual specimens are clearly Learning experiences for the HSC must address: identified in a manner that allows them to be linked to observations. Appropriate tagging and identification of specimens including:  recording the collector’s number on individual specimen tags  felt tip pen for wood samples  pencil as tag makers  pens will become illegible if specimens are treated with alcohol before drying.

2 Press plant 2.1 Samples are protected from wilting How will preservation be carried out? Learning experiences for the HSC must address: until pressing following enterprise procedures. Preservation methods will vary according to Processes to prevent wilting including: plant habit and size, as well as enterprise  transporting specimens in moist polythene or procedures. paper bags  pressing specimens with minimum delay after collection.

2.2 Specimens are arranged on sheets Learning experiences for the HSC must address following enterprise guidelines for pressing. Pressing procedures including:  trim shoots from excessively twiggy shrubs  arranging specimens in newspaper ensuring plant structures do not overlap  arrangements for specimens larger than the herbarium sheet  arrangements to show upper and lower surfaces of leaves and fronds. Purposes of pressing:  slow drying to prevent loss of form and colour  preserve the specimen from decay

Primary Industries Curriculum Framework October 2003 RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens 109 Element Performance Criteria Range of Variables HSC Requirements and Advice  assist in presentation of specimen  preserve specimen in condition suitable for future identification and reference.

2.3 Specimens are pressed correctly Learning experiences for the HSC must address: following established guidelines. Preservation of specimens in the press according to established guidelines and processes including:  covering the displayed specimen with newspaper  placing another specimen on top, arranging and press flat  arranging specimen of uneven thickness  place corrugated cardboard or heavy pads of newspaper to facilitate drying  strap the plant press to apply equal pressure  dry rapidly to preserve a good colour  place press in a warm dry place with air flow  change newspaper daily for initial few days to stop mould or discoloration.

2.4 Archival specimens are attached to Learning experiences for the HSC must address: suitable material with observations attached following established Common procedures for archiving including: material.  mounting dry specimens  avoiding overlapping plant parts  placing loose flowers, small fruit and seeds on separate sheets. Information to be recorded including  details to be recorded on label including:  phylum  class  botanical name  common name  locality collected  date  collector’s name  notes of interest. Purposes of archiving:  future identification of species  identification of rare and endangered species  comparison of species characteristics.

2.5 Specimens to be submitted for Learning experiences for the HSC must address: identification are packed following established procedures, including all Herbarium requirements for specimen packing data from collection observations as including: required by herbarium.  labels with all data from collection and observation  specimens filed systematically  storage  in a flat box with a well fitted lid  use of naphthalene flakes to control insects  in a cool dry place. Knowledge of preservation techniques for special cases including:  plants that drop their leaves when dried requiring freezing or placing in boiling water to kill the plant  bulky specimens may need to be split lengthwise before pressing  fleshy or delicate specimens preserved in liquid fixative rather than by drying. Awareness of herbariums that may be used for the identification of specimens including:  Royal Botanic Gardens  universities  research institutions  plant study groups  individual botanists.

3 Record data 3.1 All data relating to specimens is How may specimens be recorded and Learning experiences for the HSC must address: recorded and catalogued correctly catalogued? following enterprise procedures. Appropriate recording and cataloguing of data Either by manual or electronic means. specimens including:  manual filing system  electronic databases  sliding glass-covered drawers  wall hangers  glass-top cases.

Primary Industries Curriculum Framework October 2003 RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens 111 What processes should be applied to this competency standard? There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required 1 = perform the process 2 = perform and administer the process 3 = perform, administer and design the process

1. How can communication of ideas and information (2) be applied? Recording data on specimens.

2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (2)? Cataloguing and indexing specimens and observations.

3. How are activities planned and organised (1)? Organising collection and preparation of specimens.

4. How can team work (1) be applied? Carrying out specimen collection and preservation.

5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied? Cataloguing data and preserving specimens correctly.

6. How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied? Mounting and cataloguing specimens correctly.

7. How can the use of technology (1) be applied? Recording and collating data.

Primary Industries Curriculum Framework October 2003 RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens 112