NZQA Expiring unit standard
20791 version 2
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Title
Demonstrate knowledge of rodent biology and environmental impact
as a pest species
Level
3
Purpose
Credits
6
This unit standard is for people involved with pest control in
rural environments.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
knowledge of: rodent introduction and distribution in New
Zealand; rodent biology; and the impact of rodents on primary
production, and native ecosystems.
Classification
Pest Management > Pest Control
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the – Animal
Welfare Act 1999, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Resource
Management Act 1991, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Wild Animal
Control Act 1977, Conservation Act 1987, National Parks Act 1980, Reserves Act
1977, Wildlife Act 1953, Biosecurity Act 1993, and their subsequent amendments.
2
Reference
The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals, Edited by Carolyn M. King (Auckland:
Oxford University Press, 1995).
3
Definitions
dispersal – the movement of an individual animal from its place of birth to the place
where it reproduces;
home range – the area within which an individual animal lives, feeds, and breeds;
interactions – any behaviour performed by an individual animal that elicits a
behavioural response from another animal;
rodents – rats, mice;
rural environments – any land outside urban environments.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of rodent introduction and distribution in New Zealand.
Evidence requirements
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
20791 version 2
Page 2 of 4
1.1
Rodents are described in terms of their country of origin and year of introduction
into New Zealand.
1.2
Rodents are described in terms of their method of introduction into
New Zealand.
1.3
Rodents are described in terms of their current distribution and density
throughout New Zealand.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of rodent biology.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Rodents are described in terms of habitat, feeding behaviour, food preferences,
and diet range.
2.2
Rodents are described in terms of activity and nesting patterns, dispersal, home
range and movements.
Range
2.3
Rodent behaviour is described in terms of social structure, and interaction
patterns.
Range
2.4
other members of the same species, members of a different
species.
Rodents are described in terms of physical appearance, reproductive behaviour,
and development.
Range
2.5
movements – to seasonal food sources, in response to control
measures.
reproductive behaviour – season, pre-mating, mating, post-mating;
development – gestation, birth.
Rodents are described in terms of communication patterns.
Range
visual, smell, auditory.
2.6
Rodents are described in terms of their predators.
2.7
Rodent behaviour is described in relation to the implications for rodent control.
Range
use and location of – baits and traps, toxins.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
20791 version 2
Page 3 of 4
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of rodents on primary production, and native
ecosystems.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The presence of rodent pests in primary production is described in terms of the
visible signs of presence, the type and extent of damage, and economic and
social impact on production.
Range
pastoral farming, horticulture, forestry.
3.2
The presence of rodent pests in New Zealand native ecosystems is described in
terms of the visible signs of presence, and impact on ecosystem structure and
function.
3.3
Rodents are described in terms of the distinctive signs of their predation on
native animals.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by
the last date for assessment set out below.
Replacement information
This unit standard was replaced by unit standard 29335.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
26 July 2004
31 December 2018
Review
2
17 March 2016
31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0052
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.
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.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA Expiring unit standard
20791 version 2
Page 4 of 4
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.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016