SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Manage area integrity 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253964  Manage area integrity 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
8365  Manage area integrity  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The unit standard is aimed at individuals involved in the planning, implementation of and participation in area integrity practices. The competencies gained against this standard contributes to the protection of the natural resources for the benefit of future generations and in so doing provides an environment in which economic activities are viable.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Monitor plant and animal species in the field.
  • Establish good working relationships with local communities.
  • Maintain the ecological integrity and biodiversity of an area.
  • Identify potential ecological impacts as they are manifest in the wild environment.
  • Design and implement a security plan. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Monitor animal and plant species in the field. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Species to be monitored are determined so as to identify areas of vulnerability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information is collected from field patrols in order to record/plot sightings of identified species. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Collected Information is consolidated and recorded in the prescribed manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The quality of data recorded is controlled in order to ensure accuracy. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Establish good working relationships with local communities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is given of why it is necessary to establish good working relationships with local communities, and good community relations are evident in actual contacts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The types of skills that may be required, and that could be used, to establish good working relationships, are listed, with reference to the purpose accomplished by each, and these skills are evident in actual contacts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication, participation with communities, co-management of projects, understanding of community structures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A plan is devised for establishing a working relationship with any given community in the relevant area, and this plan is followed in practice. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain the ecological integrity and biodiversity of an area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is given of the Baseline Study and Essential Elements of Information (EEI) that contribute to the development of an area integrity plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of the Essential Elements of Information (EEI) that contribute to the development of an area integrity plan is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The Essential Elements of Information (EEI) that contribute to the development of an area integrity plan is listed as it applies to the operational area. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Patrols conducted, data trends, illegal activities, spoor reports, poachers and poaching, social impacts, social practices.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A procedure on the recruitment, handling, remuneration, and protection of informers in order to contribute to maintaining area integrity is compiled. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A working knowledge is demonstrated of the various types of patrols and their strategic value in order to contribute to maintaining area integrity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Building relationships with communities, law enforcement, ecological monitoring.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Effective patrols are conducted in practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    A plan is developed that utilises all the above Essential Elements of Information that inform the maintenance of the integrity of an area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The plan is followed in practice during the course of patrols and other duties as it applies to the maintaining of the ecological integrity of the area. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify potential ecological impacts as they are manifest in the wild environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    During the course of practical workplace field duties, sources of ecological degradation are identified in terms of their potential ecological impact. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    In terms of over grazing, soil erosion due to roads, bush encroachment, 4X4 use on dune vegetation, human interference with bird and turtle nesting sites, urban impacts/fringe effect, eutrophication, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose and principles of Integrated Environmental Management are explained in terms of planning, implementation and management of environmental development projects, with reference to examples encountered during the course of field duties. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Design and implement a security plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "Intensive Protection Zone" (IPZ) is explained in the context of nature conservation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fences, guard posts, observation posts, listening posts, night patrols, natural barriers, well trained wildlife guards, larger wildlife reserve.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of "Intensive Protection Zones" (IPZs) in the context of Nature Conservation is explained with reference to field examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A practical SWOT Analysis, based on appropriate field research, is undertaken for an identified threatened species in a predetermined area or areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A Security Plan is drawn up. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    IPZ security set-up, addressing all areas highlighted by the SWOT analysis, collection of relevant information in the field and from other sources, appropriate interpretation and assessment of information collected, changing operational circumstances derived largely from field experience, Working within the context of operational area integrity.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A project plan is provided in the context of the Security Plan implementation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Field craft (map reading, tracking, survival, and interpretation).
  • Appropriate legislation.
  • Principles of sustainability, with an understanding of the "trophic pyramid".
  • Patrol methodology related to varied environments and conditions.
  • Data gathering and reporting.
  • Criminal Procedures Act, as applicable to environmental transgressions.
  • Court procedures and functions.
  • Arrests court and docket preparation, weapon handling, constitutional law.
  • Crime scene management, undertaken in a firm yet sensitive and ethical way.
  • Handling of evidence in a secure and ethical manner.
  • Elements and implementation of a Security Plan.
  • Principles of developing good community relations.
  • Identification of signs of illegal activity i.e. old camping sites, marks on trees, animal behaviour, boundary violations, blood trails, inappropriate fishing gear etc.
  • Methods of infiltration (information gatherers, handlers, informants, reporting).
  • Species identification, showing a good knowledge of taxonomic and ecological principles.
  • Basic knowledge of IEM (Integrated Environment Management) process. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management:
  • Species monitoring and the maintenance of area integrity require the learner to work methodically and systematically. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation:
  • The interpretation of ecological objectives, the collection, analysis and interpretation of ecological data and how this contributes to the maintenance of area integrity supports the gathering and evaluation of information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology:
  • Knowledge of flora and fauna and the proper operation and maintenance of vehicles and equipment supports the use of science and technology. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems:
  • Ecological awareness essential in the responsible implementation of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) supports the understanding of the world as a set of inter-related systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Responsible citizenship:
  • Compliance with legislation and taking into account the rights of communities when implementing IEM processes impacts on the learners responsibility as a citizen. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 8365, "Manage area integrity", Level 5, 12 credits.

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems, thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59949   National Certificate: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.