Ecosystem Services:

a method for sustainable development

Module 6
6.1.1 Modeling Ecosystem Services with InVEST
Dr Adrian L. Vogl (Natural Capital Project, Stanford University)
INVEST ATTRIBUTES

o  Simple models
o  Applicable across the globe
o  Requires easily-available data
o  Flexible scale
o  Relevant to many kinds of decisions
o  Biophysical and economic outputs
o  Allows multi-service assessment
o  Free and open source
 Production function models
changes in ecosystems →
changes in ecosystem services →
changes in benefits to people

Free & open source

 INVEST MODEL STRUCTURE

Supply Service Value

Ecological functions Supply Service
Ecosystem elements => + +
Spatially-explicit Location and activity of Social preference
production functions beneficiaries
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ASSESSMENT

AN ITERATIVE
PROJECT CYCLE
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ASSESSMENT

Define Generate
Partnership, Compile Baselines &
Roles & Data
Objectives Scenarios
How much will ES
delivery change with

AN ITERATIVE Outcomes
Assess different scenarios (of
investment, land use

PROJECT CYCLE change, other)?

FROM SCENARIOS TO SERVICES
 INVEST MODELS - TERRESTRIAL
Habitat Quality & Risk Assessment
Annual and Seasonal Water Yield
Sediment Retention
Nutrient Retention
Carbon Storage
Managed Timber Production
Crop Pollination
Crop Production (now in beta)
 INVEST MODELS - MARINE
Recreation
Aquaculture
Fisheries
Coastal vulnerability
Renewable energy (wave and wind)
Scenic quality
Water quality
Habitat Risk Assessment
Blue carbon
 MODEL INPUTS
Land cover DEM Soils Roads

Carbon stocks Shoreline

 MODEL OUTPUTS
Pollinator Carbon Seq.
Coastal Vulnerability Water Yield (m3)
Abundance Value ($)

Dam 1
Dam 2

Dam 3

Wave Energy (NPV $) Nutrient export/retention/value

per watershed

0 - 1.5
1.5 - 3.0
3.0 - 4.5
4.5 - 6.0
6.0 - 7.5
 DO I NEED A GIS?

To run InVEST: NO

To process model inputs and outputs: YES

•  QGIS – Free, open source, improving regularly

•  ArcGIS – Expensive, but a bit easier to use

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
•  User’s Guide
•  NatCap Training Courses and Workshops
•  Online training (Stanford Online: NCP101)
•  Case studies, publications
•  Newsletter
•  Social Media (Twitter: @NatCapProject, Facebook, Google+)
www.naturalcapitalproject.org
 NATCAP FORUMS
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–  etc.
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and engineers!
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