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: 

Demonstrate understanding of the principles of Silviculture and fire protection 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263760  Demonstrate understanding of the principles of Silviculture and fire protection 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forestry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
This unit standard is for supervisors in a forestry operation. People completing this unit standard will have a basic understanding of general principles of Silviculture and fire protection.

Qualifying learners credited with this Unit Standard will apply these principles in the management of field activities and in the support of low level workers. In particular, they are able to:
  • Describe the establishment and re-establishment of plantations.
  • List and briefly describe the different aspects of plantation maintenance.
  • List and briefly describe the pruning and thinning process.
  • Briefly describe fire protection measures practiced in the Forestry Industry Demonstrate an understanding of the Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality standards framework within which Silvicultural and Fire Protection practices are applied. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the establishment and re-establishment of plantations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Field assessment criteria are correctly listed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Soil, terrain and climate.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different methods of soil preparation are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pitting, ploughing, ripping and auguring.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Planting techniques are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Method and fertilizer application.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Quality control measures of planting process are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mortality rate (check lists) and correctional activity.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    List and briefly describe the different aspects of plantation maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Threats to the newly planted seedling are listed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weeds, insects, animals, weather and pathogens.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Control measures to counteract the above listed threats are briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mechanical, manual and chemical methods of control.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Quality control of maintenance methods is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Checklist to determine success rate and corrective action.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    List and briefly describe the pruning and thinning process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pruning methods are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pine products and wattle stem shape pruning.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pruning equipment is identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Manual and mechanical.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The purposes of thinning are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rationale, criteria and timing for wattle, pine and gum.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Briefly describe fire protection measures practiced in the Forestry Industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Fire prevention methods applied on plantations are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fire breaks, block burning, controlled burning, fuel load management.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Fire detection methods applied on plantations are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lookout towers, camera surveillance, aerial detection.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Fire fighting methods, as practiced in forestry, are briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ground and aerial.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Briefly describe the elements of Silviculture planning. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Long term and short term. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Requirements for long term Silvicultural management of plantations are identified and prioritized. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Volume, sequence, resources and timing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Requirements for annual Silvicultural management of plantations are identified and prioritized. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Volume, sequence, resources and timing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Requirement for daily Silvicultural management of plantations are identified and prioritized. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Volume, sequence, resources and timing.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality standards framework within which Silvicultural and Fire Protection practices are applied. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Statutory requirements and industry norms and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relevant Safety and Health considerations are listed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Personal Protective Equipment and Safe Work Procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The most important Environmental Legislation is listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Veld and Forest Act and environmental management systems, e.g. ISO 14001 and FSC.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Relevant quality management systems are listed and briefly described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Work Procedures, specifications, quality indicators and quality management systems (e.g. ISO14001 and FSC).
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Key requirements and considerations for the establishment and re-establishment of plantations.
  • The different aspects of plantation maintenance.
  • The pruning and thinning process.
  • Fire protection measures practiced in the Forestry Industry.
  • Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality standards framework within which Silvicultural and Fire Protection practices are applied. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in relation to Silviculture and fire protection. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a supervisor of a team in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in applying the Silviculture principles in a forestry operation and fire protection. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to determine key Silviculture requirements and fire protection for a range of contexts in a forestry operation 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively to supervised team members, third parties and own supervisor by using mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    See the world as an integrated whole in implementing Silviculture principles and fire protection in a forestry operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Anyone assessing a learner against this Qualification must be registered with the relevant ETQA as an assessor.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. Assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the policies and guidelines for assessment of that ETQA, in terms of agreements reached around assessment and between various ETQA's (including professional bodies).

    Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

    The options as listed above provide the opportunity to ensure that assessment and moderation can be transparent, affordable, valid reliable and non-discriminatory.

    For an applicant to register as an assessor or moderator of this qualification, the applicant needs:
  • To be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • To be in possession of the relevant qualification.
  • To have sufficient relevant experience.

    To have the appropriate qualification to assess communication and mathematical literacy. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66349   Further Education and Training Certificate: General Forestry  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  FPMSETA 


    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. AFRICAN MULTISKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 
    2. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    3. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    4. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    5. TAMASA TRAINING PTY LTD 
    6. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 


    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.