Purpose: | Quantify, map and value the benefits of ecosystem services |
Developer: | Natural Capital Project |
Key Features: | Most model analyses have switched from ArcGIS to Python |
Latest Release: | 2015, Version 3.2 |
OS Platform: | Windows |
Cost: | Free |
Related Software: | |
Website: | InVEST home page |
The InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) model, first released in 2008, uses an ecological and economic production function to quantify, map and value the benefits provided by terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems under current and future management scenarios. The suite is best suited for analysis of multiple services and multiple objectives. The program can be applied to map the location and value of sediment loading areas behind a dam, hydropower production, nutrient retention, as well as crop pollination, tourism protection of coastal areas from erosion or inundation, etc.
The key feature of the InVEST model is the use of Python instead of ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, which allows free software such as QGIS to be used for spatial analysis.
Advantages | Limitations |
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Illustrative Screens |
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Africa | East Asia and the Pacific | Europe & Central Asia | Latin America & the Caribbean | Middle East and North Africa | South Asia |
China (Land use planning) | Colombia (Ecosystem conservation – water quality and quantity) |
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