Safely collecting of specimens

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Use appropriate method/s to collect a range of environmental data and/or specimens.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

·        Fauna-(Animals) dead or alive. Dead insects can be pinned down to preserve them for a longer time. embrio's or other certain animals can be placed in a  formalin jar/bottel.

·        Flora-(plants) Can be pressed between cardboard boxes and newspaper, covered with a stabel wooden casing pressed together with help of either a rope tied to the box or a clip that can be locked for safe use.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

When collecting a specimen you should do the following: ·        Note ·        Record the location ·        Co-ordinates of the specific area ·        Marking it of on a simple map of the environment. ·         Record the weather conditions as well as temperature of your surroundings and any variables than might be important. ·         The date and time, ·         Season ·        Etc. Keeping the data with the specimen after selection is the most important details.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

A range of environmental data should be kept and uploaded in the area in which the specimen was found. ·        An annual update should be done on the data, example weather, season, habitat condition. ·         Record on the different species found in different areas and which parallels occur. ·         The recorded data should include the exact location, on a slope or on a mountain or on pastures etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Including but not limited to soil, invertebrates, vertebrates, vegetation, rainfall, temperature etc.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Locate and record the area for collection.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Applicable navigation techniques are used to reach the collection site as specified for data or specimen collection:  When a specific specimen is found, it is very important to mark the exact spot on a local simple map of the area and retrieve the GPS co-ordinates. In that way it can be attached to the specimen and other collectors or users can find that exact location again for future use or studies.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Use of navigational equipment and maps.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

A record is made of the localities where the specimens will be collected: The area in which the object was found should be noted in order for example: ·        country ·        province ·        town ·        grid reference ·        co-ordinates ·        landmarks.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Required specimens are collected; data obtained and/or prepared using prescribed methods and procedures: During field work, the collector will use his note-book for “on the spot” observations. On returning home, he should sort out and roughly classify the specimens. Discarding unwanted material at once. Sketches and colour records must now be completed while the animals are still alive(if plan on killing the specimen) The field sheets should then be filled in, before exact details are forgotten. The amount to be recorded will vary greatly from species to species, according to the amount known about the species of animal collected, or to the collector's interest in the material. The sheets provide for example detail, but it is important to repeat more important information on each sheet. If too much detail is aimed at, the collector. Each bottle or tube of specimens should be identified by a reference number corresponding to the serial sheet number. Specimens are thus numbered simply in order of collecting and writing up. An abbreviation for the name of the class can be usefully added to the sheet below the serial number, e.g. (CTEN — GASTR — CRUST —). The sheets may then be filed in serial order, and, if necessary, as the collection grows, cross-indexed in taxonomic and ecological categories. Details of locality, type of environment, ecological association should be specified, with date and collector's name. Space is left for other important notes that’s of special interest. Reference should be given to any life drawing, colour record, slide or other preparation made from living material. After identification the specific name can be added in the space provided, together with a note referring to taxonomy or general literature

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Records and relevant data are kept of the precise location where the specimens were collected: After a correct and accurate record has been made the data should be kept with the correct specimen for further reference or research.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Required environmental data is recorded using appropriate methods and equipment:  The bulk of the information about a specimen should be entered on the record sheet. It is not usually convenient to label material exhaustively in situations. Labels attached to the container should include the habitat, locality and date, and the collector's initial, with perhaps a condensation of any other information to which it is desired to refer without turning up the field sheet. Most important, there should be a reference number to the written field record

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Tree diameter, prevailing weather condition, and photographs taken.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

A review is given of what constitutes ethical collecting practices: Collect, obtain data and/or prepare the required specimens according to prescribed procedures:  After the specimen was found it is important to preserve the specimen properly so that it does not damage or break and lose complete value. Specimens from any field collection should be deposited in a reference collection in an institutional for the long-term maintenance and access for the future. The animals should therefore be preserved in the best possible condition and where possible, ensure that the natural colour is retained, their external appendages (e.g. fins) are erected and stomach contents intact. Care should be taken to ensure that specimens are undamaged. Features important in the taxonomic study of fish, for example, are easily damaged with contact even after preservation. Live crabs before preservation should be kept individually as some species will damage each other and other animals, especially fish even when they are being directly preserved. Specimens collected during an expedition are to be killed immediately on site. Photography, if required should be conducted on the spot. Do not crowd living animals in small containers - this will result in damage to their surfaces or appendages. Do not keep animals for preservation "later" as it may die and pollute a container, killing others, even leading to a distortion of morphological features and other damage. This reduces their value as scientific specimens which are the objective of collection in the first place. A well-preserved specimen will generate more accurate information and is ultimately more humane.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Live specimens are released in area of origin where transportation and additional data collection is not required: When releasing an animal specimen it is important to release it back to the same habitat where it was captured, as not to confuse social structures or territory. animals are accustomed to these surroundings and habitat, special climates and seasons.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Package specimens safely for transportation.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Living specimens obtained for data collection purposes are transported correctly and humanely: When transporting live animals one should consider a cage, box etc for travelling in to be comfortable and clearly marked to be fragile and which side upwards. that in fact the animal is ALIVE and addresses as well as return addresses should be clearly visible. Air transport is the preferred method of transporting any live specimens as it is also the quickest and the specimen won’t strain.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Dead specimens are suitably preserved (without damage):  Preserving dead specimens will include jarred (air tight), pressed and pinned etc. it should be dried out for at least 3 weeks and can then be observed, studies etc.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Specimens are suitably packaged according to organisational procedures: All collecting is to be conducted in a responsible manner, with full consideration of the three „R‟s principle (replacement, reduction and refinement) in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. The Three Rs Principle states that: · animals which might suffer are used only when necessary (Replacement), · no more and no fewer animals are used than are required to achieve the objectives of the work (Reduction), and · any pain, suffering or other harm, which may be caused to animals, is minimised (Refinement).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Steps are taken to ensure that all relevant information accompanies the specimens.  Usually the specimen has to have a tag with all relevant information, where it was found, time and date it was found, sex, age and colour of the specimen. So you can go back and look at the information at any given time.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The specimens are delivered to the prescribed place and handed over to a designated personnel.

When transporting specimens the most important thing is that the package it is transported in has a tracking number, so that you could trace it if necessary. On the package it is important to have the address where it is from and where it is delivered to, a cell phone number of the person who's package it is. Always make sure that someone is ready to collect the package.