Training Package
Conservation and Land Management (RTD02)
Title
Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
Unit code
RTD2004A
HSC Requirements
and Advice
HSC Indicative Hours
This competency standard covers the process of collecting and preserving plant specimens for recording or
identification purposes. It requires the ability to collect appropriate plant specimens, prepare and preserve them
and to record data. Collecting, preparing and preserving plant specimens requires knowledge of plant lifecycles,
plant recognition, simple taxonomic keys, and legislative limitations on the collection of flora including
threatened species.
15
Evidence Guide
What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in collecting, preparing and preserving plant specimens requires evidence that plants have been appropriately collected, preserved and
catalogued to enterprise standards. The skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens must be transferable to a range
of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different plants from other areas.
What specific knowledge is
needed to achieve the
performance criteria?
Knowledge and understanding are
essential to apply this standard in
the workplace, to transfer the skills
to other contexts and to deal with
unplanned events. The knowledge
requirements for this unit are listed
below:
 recognition of plants to be
collected
 legislative limitations on the
collection of flora (including
threatened species).
What specific skills are
needed to achieve the
performance criteria?
To achieve the performance
criteria, some complementary
skills are required. These skills
include the ability to:
 collect specimen
 press plant
 record and catalogue data.
Are there other competency
standards that could be
assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be
assessed on its own or in
combination with other
competencies relevant to the job
function.
HSC Requirements
and Advice
Assessment guide
For information about assessing
this competency standard for
consistent performance and
where and how it may be
assessed, refer to the Assessment
Guidelines for this Training
Package.
Key Terms and Concepts
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Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
archiving
botanical name
field observations
flora
habitat
herbarium
herbarium sheets
National Parks and Wildlife
Amendment Act 2001 (NSW) – this
act amends the National Parks and
Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW)
National Parks and Wildlife
Regulation 2002 (NSW)
plant features
plant lifecycle
plant press
plant recognition
plant specimens
preservation methods
362
What specific knowledge is
needed to achieve the
performance criteria?
What specific skills are
needed to achieve the
performance criteria?
Are there other competency
standards that could be
assessed with this one?
Assessment guide
HSC Requirements
and Advice
 rare and endangered species
 recording and cataloguing of
specimens
 tagging
 taxonomic keys
 threatened species
 Threatened Species Conservation
Amendment Act 2002 (NSW) – this
act amends the Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995 (NSW)
Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
363
Element
1
Collect specimen
Performance Criteria
1.1
Sample collected is the largest
practical to fit on herbarium sheet.
Range of Variables
HSC Requirements and Advice
The Range of Variables defines the different
contexts, work environments and parameters
governing the performance of this competency
standard. The variables chosen in training and
assessment will need to reflect local industry and
regional contexts.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
For more information on contexts, environment
and variables for training and assessment refer to
the Sector Booklet.
What types of plants may be included?
All life forms including trees, shrubs, ground
covers, herbs, epiphytes and saprophytes.
1.2
Particular features are collected
following enterprise procedures or
guidelines.
1.4
Observations regarding locality, habit
of plant, etc., are recorded following
enterprise procedure.
Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
A basic understanding of the legislative limitations
on the collection of flora according to:
 Threatened Species Conservation Amendment
Act 2002 (NSW) – this act amends the
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
(NSW)
 National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act
2001 (NSW) – this act amends the National
Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW)
 National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002
(NSW).
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Sample includes features required for
positive identification, e.g., flowers
and fruit, leaves and roots.
1.3
An awareness of the use of a range of collection
equipment including:
 camera
 plastic bags
 plant tags
 secateurs
 notepaper and folder
 pens and pencils
 specimen storage and transport equipment.
An understanding of plant lifecycles to ensure
collected samples contain plant features necessary
for positive identification including:
 flowers
 fruits which may have to be collected at a later
date
 stem bearing typical healthy buds
 roots.
How may specimens be recorded and
catalogued?
Either by manual or electronic means.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Records of field observations including:
 collector’s name
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
364
Element
Performance Criteria
Range of Variables
HSC Requirements and Advice
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1.5
2
Press plant
2.1
2.2
Individual specimens are clearly
identified in a manner that allows
them to be linked to observations.
Samples are protected from wilting
until pressing following enterprise
procedures.
Specimens are arranged on sheets
following enterprise guidelines for
pressing.
collector’s number
date
locality
habitat
shape and size of plant
colour and scent of flowers
texture
type of bark
weather conditions.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Appropriate tagging and identification of specimens
including:
 recording the collector’s number on individual
specimen tags
 felt tip pen for wood samples
 pencil as tag makers
 pens will become illegible if specimens are
treated with alcohol before drying.
How will preservation be carried out?
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Preservation methods will vary according to
plant habit and size, as well as enterprise
procedures.
Processes to prevent wilting including:
 transporting specimens in moist polythene or
paper bags
 pressing specimens with minimum delay after
collection.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address
Pressing procedures including:
 trim shoots from excessively twiggy shrubs
 arranging specimens in newspaper ensuring
plant structures do not overlap
 arrangements for specimens larger than the
herbarium sheet
 arrangements to show upper and lower surfaces
of leaves and fronds.
Purposes of pressing:

slow drying to prevent loss of form and colour

preserve the specimen from decay

assist in presentation of specimen
Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
365
Element
Performance Criteria
Range of Variables
HSC Requirements and Advice
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2.3
2.4
preserve specimen in condition suitable for
future identification and reference.
Specimens are pressed correctly
following established guidelines.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Archival specimens are attached to
suitable material with observations
attached following established
material.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Preservation of specimens in the press according to
established guidelines and processes including:
 covering the displayed specimen with
newspaper
 placing another specimen on top, arranging and
press flat
 arranging specimen of uneven thickness
 place corrugated cardboard or heavy pads of
newspaper to facilitate drying
 strap the plant press to apply equal pressure
 dry rapidly to preserve a good colour
 place press in a warm dry place with air flow
 change newspaper daily for initial few days to
stop mould or discoloration.
Common procedures for archiving including:
 mounting dry specimens
 avoiding overlapping plant parts
 placing loose flowers, small fruit and seeds on
separate sheets.
Information to be recorded including
 details to be recorded on label including:
 phylum
 class
 botanical name
 common name
 locality collected
 date
 collector’s name
 notes of interest.
Purposes of archiving:
 future identification of species
 identification of rare and endangered species
 comparison of species characteristics.
Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
366
Element
Performance Criteria
2.5
Range of Variables
Specimens to be submitted for
identification are packed following
established procedures, including all
data from collection observations as
required by herbarium.
HSC Requirements and Advice
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Herbarium requirements for specimen packing
including:
 labels with all data from collection and
observation
 specimens filed systematically
 storage
 in a flat box with a well fitted lid
 use of naphthalene flakes to control
insects
 in a cool dry place.
Knowledge of preservation techniques for special
cases including:
 plants that drop their leaves when dried
requiring freezing or placing in boiling water
to kill the plant
 bulky specimens may need to be split
lengthwise before pressing
 fleshy or delicate specimens preserved in liquid
fixative rather than by drying.
Awareness of herbariums that may be used for the
identification of specimens including:
 Royal Botanic Gardens
 universities
 research institutions
 plant study groups
 individual botanists.
3
Record data
3.1
All data relating to specimens is
recorded and catalogued correctly
following enterprise procedures.
Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
How may specimens be recorded and
catalogued?
Either by manual or electronic means.
Learning experiences for the HSC must address:
Appropriate recording and cataloguing of data
specimens including:

manual filing system
 electronic databases
 sliding glass-covered drawers
 wall hangers
 glass-top cases.
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
367
What processes should be applied to this competency standard?
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some
of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each
question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where
0 = not required
1 = perform the process
2 = perform and administer the process
3 = perform, administer and design the process
1.
How can communication of ideas and information (2) be applied?
Recording data on specimens.
2.
How can information be collected, analysed and organised (2)?
Cataloguing and indexing specimens and observations.
3.
How are activities planned and organised (1)?
Organising collection and preparation of specimens.
4.
How can team work (1) be applied?
Carrying out specimen collection and preservation.
5.
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?
Cataloguing data and preserving specimens correctly.
6.
How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied?
Mounting and cataloguing specimens correctly.
7.
How can the use of technology (1) be applied?
Recording and collating data.
Primary Industries Curriculum Framework
October 2003
RTD2004A Collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens
368