These Standards describe the knowledge and skills expected of an individual to gain entry to and along with other accreditation requirements, meet the ongoing minimum expectations for a Registered Soil Practitioner – Soil Management.
| Section 1 – Basics of soil science | ||
| Section 1.1 – The soil functions and ecosystem services | ||
| 1.1.1 | Demonstrated knowledge of soil functions. | |
| 1.1.2 | Demonstrated knowledge of ecosystem services delivered by soil. | |
| Section 1.2 – Soil formation, composition and distribution | ||
| 1.2.1 | Demonstrated basic knowledge and practical experience with regards to describing a soil profile, including the ability to find and describe relevant factors of soil formation and distribution. | |
| Section 1.3 – Soil degradation | ||
| 1.3.1 | Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of degradation on soil function and potential productivity and/or environmental impact. | |
| 1.3.2 | Demonstrated understanding of causes, key impacts and mitigation of soil degradation processes such as soil erosion, acidification, fertility decline, salinisation and compaction. | |
| Section 1.4 – Basic physical, chemical, and biological soil properties | ||
| 1.4.1 | Demonstrated knowledge of basic soil properties including physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties. | |
| 1.4.2 | Demonstrated ability to explain the agronomic impact of basic physical, chemical and biological soil properties. | |
| Section 2. Soil Field Analysis and Site Interpretation | ||
| Section 2.1 – Site selection for soil sampling | ||
| 2.1.1 | Demonstrated knowledge of the key factors that determine fit-for-purpose site selection for sampling. | |
| 2.1.2 | Demonstrated ability to assess a landscape to determine site locations and to explain and justify why this is suitable, | |
| Section 2.2 – Soil test selection | ||
| 2.2.1 | Demonstrated understanding of when soil testing should take place. | |
| 2.2.2 | Demonstrated understanding of which soil tests are suitable and why. | |
| Section 2.3 – Soil classification | ||
| 2.3.1 | Demonstrated familiarity with the current Australian Soil Classification and ability to use it in the field. | |
| Section 3 – Soil sampling for laboratory analysis | ||
| Section 3.1 – Sampling design | ||
| 3.1.1 | Demonstrated understanding of soil sampling design, and the ability to explain this decision with regards to the sampling purpose and the site specifics. | |
| 3.1.2 | Demonstrated understanding and experience with the equipment required for soil sampling. | |
| Section 3.2 – Sample management | ||
| 3.2.1 | Demonstrated understanding of the protocols to collect samples for laboratory analysis. | |
| 3.2.2 | Demonstrated ability to identify laboratories that conduct suitable soil analysis | |
| Section 3.3 – Record keeping | ||
| 3.3.1 | Demonstrated understanding of the role of record keeping | |
| 3.3.2 | Demonstrated experience in record keeping and information management of sampling procedure and subsequent sample analysis | |
| Section 4. Data interpretation and application | ||
| Section 4.1 – Soil and agronomy | ||
| 4.1.1 | Demonstrated broad experience of soil testing and interpretation in an agronomic setting. | |
| 4.1.2 | Demonstrated knowledge of nutrient cycles, specifically in relation to nutrient availability and how this supports plant production in the soil. | |
| 4.1.3 | Demonstrated understanding of the role and influence of soil biology on agricultural production. | |
| 4.1.4 | Demonstrated understanding of the capacity of the soil to store, cycle and exchange nutrients and water for plant production and determine management options. | |
| 4.1.5 | Demonstrated ability to communicate to clients how key physical, chemical and biological soil properties influence soil fertility and nutrient availability. | |
| Section 4.2 – Reporting soil data | ||
| 4.2.1 | Demonstrated ability to assess data quality and interpret data in a soil test report, relating this to both the soil characteristics and the management implications. | |
| 4.2.2 | Demonstrated understanding of the limitations of soil test data and how these limitations can affect management recommendations. | |
| Section 4.3 – Making management recommendations | ||
| 4.3.1 | Demonstrate, using a case study or other means, examples of soil/site limitations, and the management recommendations to address the limitations | |
| 4.3.2 | Demonstrated understanding of methods for soil amelioration | |