NZQA registered unit standard
8028 version 5
Page 1 of 3
Title
Describe soil microbiology
Level
5
Credits
4
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: soil
as a habitat for microorganisms; dynamics of microbial
communities in the humification process; methods for
measuring microbial activity and microbial biomass in soil; and
to explain the role of microorganisms in cycling elements within
the soil.
Classification
Science > Microbiology
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
Glossary
Soil refers to the portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus.
Humification refers to the transformation of organic matter into humus by microorganisms.
This includes catabolism and anabolism.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe soil as a habitat for microorganisms.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Soil properties are described in relation to the formation of a habitat for
microorganisms.
Range
soil properties – physical, chemical, biological.
Outcome 2
Explain the role of microorganisms in cycling elements within the soil.
Range
carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The contribution of the metabolic activity of microorganisms is explained in
relation to the cycling of the element.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
8028 version 5
Page 2 of 3
2.2
The chemical intermediates are identified in relation to the cycle.
2.3
Representative microorganisms are identified in relation to the cycle.
Outcome 3
Describe the dynamics of microbial communities in the humification process.
Evidence requirements
3.1
A sequence of microbial communities is described in relation to the humification
process.
3.2
Conditions for microbial communities are described as the environment
changes in relation to the humification process.
Outcome 4
Describe methods for measuring microbial activity and microbial biomass in soil.
Range
one method for each of – microbial activity, microbial biomass.
Evidence requirements
4.1
The principles and limitations of the measurement are described in terms of the
method.
Planned review date
31 December 2018
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
22 December 1996
31 December 2014
Review
2
24 February 1998
31 December 2014
Review
3
23 November 1999
31 December 2014
Review
4
21 May 2010
N/A
Rollover
5
27 January 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0152
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
8028 version 5
Page 3 of 3
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016