SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Monitor the presence or absence of wild animal species

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253969	Monitor the presence or absence of wild animal species
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	15
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

The qualifying learner assessed as competent against this unit standard will be able to monitor the presence or absence or wild animal species over time through the development and effective use of animal checklists. The competence to monitor the presence or absence of wild animal populations, in the area of operation, is important as it provides a barometer of biodiversity and conservation status of individual animal species, especially those that are endemic, vulnerable or threatened. It is a vital aspect of effective wildlife management.

The qualifying learner will be able to:

Generate checklists of wild animal species in the operational area.

Evaluate species' checklist recordings against their known and expected zoogeographical distribution ranges.

Determine trends through the periodic comparisons of checklist data.

Achieving this unit standard will improve the qualifying learner's skills and enhance his or her employability. This competence contributes to the economic and long-term viability of a conservation area, to the marked benefit of the sub-field Agriculture and Nature Conservation.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that the learner is competent in:

Communication Literacy at NQF Level 4.

Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

N/A

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Generate checklists of wild animal species in the operational area.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Standard checklists of wild animal species are generated by recording actual observations of their presence.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Visual sightings, or other recognised indicators such as vocalisations (e.g. bird or frog calls).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Information regarding recorded species is enhanced with additional, relevant information.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Type of record: Visual (sighting), auditory (calls), observation by third party, date and time of day, precise locality, sex/age class, if possible, observed social category (e.g solitary, flock, swarm, mixed herd, bachelor male group), vegetation/habitat type, observed activity and behaviour.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Provision is made for unconfirmed records which are recorded as such.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Secondary indicators of presence such as droppings and spoor, reports from (knowlegeable) third parties such as visitors or unqualified staff, inability to "field-identify" beyond genus or even subfamily level depending on animal taxonomy.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Checklists are divided according to generally accepted taxonomic groupings.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Separate lists for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, major groups of invertebrates such as insects, arachnids, animals typical of intertidal zones, etc.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Evaluate species checklist recordings against their known and expected zoogeographical distribution ranges.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Individual species checklist recordings is compared to their known and expected zoogeographical distribution range as reflected in standard reference works (animal distribution maps or atlasses).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Standard reference works on animal distribution is compared to actual observations to determine which animal species are absent from their former range.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Standard reference works on vulnerable species lists (e.g. Red Data Book, CITES) is used to highlight all species (recorded on checklist, or recorded as absent) that fall into any of the recognised categories.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Vulnerable, rare, critically endangered, etc. or CITES Lists I or II.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Determine trends and changes in the composition of animal species checklists.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Checklists are updated on a periodic basis as per operational procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Annually, or more frequently for special categories, i.e. vulnerable, rare, endangered, etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Individual species checklist recordings from previous periods is compared to current checklist records.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Any species that is new, newly confirmed, or absent from previous checklists is "flagged" and brought to the attention of management.

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

Methods to source printed and electronic scientific information on individual species, animal geography, distribution.

Basic applied identification of all relevant animal groups (visual, auditory in certain instances).

Basic applied identification of individual species belonging to the prominent animal groups (e.g.vertebrates like mammals, birds, etc). or at appropriate taxonomic level for difficult groups (e.g. invertebrates).

Age and sex classes of prominent animal species.

Data recording formats related to context.

Red data lists and CITES appendices.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

The identification of animal species and their utilisation supports the gathering, and evaluation of information in the operational environment.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Individuals engaged in animal management must of necessity plan and work methodically and systematically and this supports self-organisation and management in the operational environment.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Knowledge of flora and fauna; animal anatomy, Red data lists, effect of climate on habitat and wildlife, proper operation and maintenance of vehicles, equipment and machinery require the use of science and technology in the operational environment.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Knowledge of the association between plants and animals promotes ecological awareness and supports the understanding of the world as a set of inter-related systems.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING

The need to comply with environmental legislation enhances responsible citizenship in the operational environment.

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

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.

It is assumed that the learner has already completed the requirements for achievement of the qualification "National Certificate: Conservation: Natural Resource Management: Terrestrial NQF Level 4". An announcement will be made as to when this qualification will be registered on the NQF.

Until the NQF Level 4 qualification mentioned above is registered it is sufficient that the learner embarking on studies toward this qualification has achieved an FET certificate at NQF Level 4 or the equivalent, is in possession of a Certificate in Conservation Guardianship, or has several years' relevant industry experience. In particular, good knowledge and the ability to identify a very large range of wild animal species, and to determine their sex/age classes, relate their respective distribution patterns to biogeographical and ecological parameters, and to interpret their social organisation, behaviour and activity patterns is a prerequisite.

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.

1.	Umsebenzi Wethu Training Solution (Pty) Ltd