A comparison of the survey results from each team showed that there was a high level of consistency between the results recorded by each team across all the woods. At a general level this suggests that the overall accuracy of this level of survey is likely to be high.

Whilst all the survey teams found the standardised survey method straight forward to use, comments from the teams and others who have since used the Level 2 survey method, combined with analysis of the results, indicated that:

• Standardised 1:10,000 scale maps are the best for recording supporting information and making target notes to support the survey cards

• Minor modifications to the survey forms are required to give greater consistency between tables on the forms designed to record similar information (e.g. 'habitats within the wood' and 'surrounding land-use'). Also a more logical sequence of the tables on 'Woodland Survey Card I - general Information' is necessary to reduce the time needed to complete the card.

• For woods where a Level 3 timber survey is planned, a complete Level 2 survey is best undertaken at the same time, rather than before.

• Provide a broad validation of the Level 2 timber survey method.

• Investigate the suitability of the Forestry Commission's conventional hardwood timber measurement method for assessing timber volume in variable semi-natural woods.

The Level 3 survey information suggested that the Level 2 timber assessment was adequate to identify the timber management opportunities at each wood and also gives a good broad indication of the potential for management of the overall hardwood resource in Argyll, which is what it was designed to do. However, the Level 3 work also suggested that the stocking and girth categories described on the Level 2 survey forms require minor modification.

A questionnaire was sent to all owners / agents of woods surveyed, and to other likely end users of the survey information in order to identify the preferred method of presentation of the survey results. 261 questionnaires were issued and 48 (18.4%) were returned.

76% (37) replies were from woodland owners, 8% (4) from forest management companies, 10% (5) from National Government agencies and 2% (1) from each of Local Enterprise Company, representative body and woodland partner.
73% of the respondents requested the survey information to be provided on an individual wood basis whilst 17% requested the information summarised by the whole of Argyll.

When asked in which format they wished the data presented, 69% (33) of respondents preferred electronic format, although 81% (39) of respondents stated that they had access to a computer. 62% (30) of respondents wished to see the information made available on a web site on the Internet.

Only 19 respondents (40%) replied to the question "how do you feel about data being freely available to the general public?" Of these 14 were happy for the data to be freely available. Interestingly, when asked whether individual woodland ownership details should be made available, 80% (38) of respondents agreed that this information should be made available.

The conservation and forestry agencies when consulted expressed a desire for the information to be provided in electronic format suitable for use within a Geographical Information System (GIS).

1. A web site on the Internet
2. A web site on a CD ROM
3. A web site and a GIS project on a CD ROM

The Level 2 survey method is now in wide use by the Forestry Commission in Scotland as a standardised way of gathering base-line information on existing semi-natural woods which are under management through the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS).

The web site has been demonstrated to key staff in the Forestry Commission and there is considerable interest in the data and also in the application of the survey methods to other areas of Scotland.