In 2001, from 1 June until 31 July, within the frame of the ‘Forest’ project, a subproject ‘Audit of key forest biotope inventory work’ was undertaken. The audit was commissioned by the State Joint-Stock Company Latvia’s State Forests. Within the frame of the project, the following activities were conducted: an audit of the quality of key forest biotope inventory work by the trainees of spring 2001, with the provision of consultations and review of disputed cases, and consultations in the course of calibration seminars.

A total of 36 people conducting inventories were audited. For each individual, the correctness of forest stand evaluation was checked in accordance with the inventory methods at 10 or more forest areas chosen by the auditor. Consultation was provided on the evaluation of doubtful areas, and advice was given on increasing work efficiency.

In parallel with the audit, LDF expert Viesturs Lārmanis provided consultation at calibration seminars organised by the State Forestry Service, held at each of the state forest regions involved in the project. Preparation of the calibration seminars made use of the information obtained in the course of the audit concerning forest areas suitable for calibration.

The aim of the calibration seminars was to eliminate differences in the evaluation of key forest biotopes, arising in the course of inventory work. To this end, forest areas were chosen that are complicated to evaluate. In the course of the seminar, each inventory worker provided his or her own evaluation, and the results were compared in a subsequent discussion.

In the course of the project, one disputed case was reviewed, relating to the Zemgale Forest Region, where the cause of the dispute lay in significant differences between the results of the audit and the inventory. The problem case was reviewed by a special dispute review commission, which included several forest ecologists from the State Forestry Service, LDF auditors and representatives of the State Joint-Stock Company Latvia’s State Forests.