20789
27-Aug-13
1 of 6
PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of possum
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
level:
3
credit:
6
planned review date:
July 2006
sub-field:
Pest Management
purpose:
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: possum introduction and
distribution in New Zealand; possum biology; bovine
tuberculosis (Tb) and possums in New Zealand; and the
impact of possums on primary production, and native
ecosystems.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed moderation system has
been set up by the Primary Industry Training Organisation.
special 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.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20789
27-Aug-13
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of possum
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
2
References
The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals, Edited by
Carolyn M. King (Auckland: Oxford University Press,
1995); The Brushtail Possum, T. L. Montague (Lincoln,
New Zealand: Manaaki Whenua Press, 2000);
Bovine Tuberculosis National Pest Management
Strategy, 2001-2013 – An Amendment Proposal
Prepared by the Animal Health Board Incorporated,
2001.
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;
rural environments – any land outside urban
environments.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of possum introduction and distribution in New Zealand.
performance criteria
1.1
The possum is described in terms of its country of origin and year of
introduction into New Zealand.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20789
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of possum
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
1.2
The possum is described in terms of the reasons for its introduction into
New Zealand.
Range:
1.3
may include but is not limited to – sport, novelty, economic,
prevailing attitudes towards native fauna.
The possum is described in terms of its current distribution and density
throughout New Zealand.
element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of possum biology.
performance criteria
2.1
The possum is described in terms of habitat, feeding behaviour, food
preferences, and diet range.
2.2
The possum is described in terms of activity and nesting patterns, dispersal,
home range and movements.
Range:
2.3
Possum social 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.
The possum is 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,
dispersal;
development – gestation, birth.
The possum is described in terms of communication patterns.
Range:
visual, smell, auditory.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of possum
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
2.6
Possum behaviour is described in relation to the implications for possum
control.
Range:
conventional control, biological control; use and location of –
toxins and baits, traps; dominant and subordinate behaviour of
possums at baits and traps.
element 3
Demonstrate knowledge of bovine tuberculosis (Tb) and possums in New Zealand.
performance criteria
3.1
Bovine tuberculosis (Tb) is described in terms of its introduction into
New Zealand, its economic cost, and affect on humans.
3.2
Tb is described in terms of the role of possums in transmission of Tb to
livestock.
3.3
The distribution of Tb infected possum populations throughout New Zealand is
described.
3.4
The symptoms of Tb infected possums are identified, and actions to take in the
event of contact with Tb infected possums are described.
3.5
Suspected sources of Tb in cattle other than possums are identified.
Range:
3.6
evidence is required for at least two other animals.
The role of the National Pest Management Strategy for Bovine Tuberculosis is
described in terms of its objectives in the control of tuberculosis possum
populations.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20789
27-Aug-13
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of possum
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of possums on primary production, and native
ecosystems.
performance criteria
4.1
The presence of possums in primary production is described in terms of the
visible signs of presence, type and extent of damage, and the economic and
social impact of possums on production.
Range:
4.2
The presence of possums in New Zealand native forest is described in terms of
the visible signs of presence, and factors influencing patterns of damage.
Range:
4.3
signs of presence – scats, feeding sign, territorial marking.
Techniques used to assess changes to New Zealand forest canopies in the
presence of possums are described in terms of their features.
Range:
4.4
pastoral farming, horticulture, forestry.
techniques include but are not limited to – descriptive accounts,
permanent forest plots, photopoints, hemispherical (fish-eye)
photography, direct observation, aerial photography,
Possums are described in terms of the distinctive signs of their predation on
native animals.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
20789
27-Aug-13
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PEST CONTROL
Demonstrate knowledge of possum
biology and environmental impact as a
pest species
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0052 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016