InVEST

Nirmal BhagabatiEmily McKenzie

Outline• What is InVEST?

– History of development– Scope, objectives, users– Conceptual approach and applications

• How to use InVEST?– Getting started– Data requirements– Demo

The Natural Capital Project

1. Develop new ecosystem service science and tools

2. Apply new approaches in demonstration sites globally

3. Magnify our impact by engaging with leaders

What does NatCap do?

How would a new cattle management approach affect agricultural revenues?

How would a new cattle management approach affect agricultural revenuesdrinking water qualityerosion controlcarbon sequestrationand biodiversity?

InVEST: Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs

What tools has NatCap developed?

Objective: Enable users to quantify, map & value the ecosystem service impacts of alternative land use decisions

InVEST: Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs

What tools has NatCap developed?

Users: All those affecting or affected by decisions on land-use & management

• business sector• government• NGOs• multilateral development banks• academics

InVEST: Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs

• Biodiversity and multiple services• Biophysical or (first estimate) economic values• Spatially explicit (mapped)• Tiered design: simple or complex• Driven by user specified scenarios• Usable at a range of scales

Free and open source

http://invest.ecoinformatics.org

Tiered Approach

Tier 1 Tier 2

Simple Complex

Models

Data

Tier 3

InVEST

InVEST• Uses production functions

• ES modeled as function of land cover & other variables

• Usable with relatively limited data

• Ready to use out-of-the box, but customizable

Kareiva, Ricketts, Daily, Tallis, & Polasky, Eds. 2010. The Theory & Practice of Ecosystem Service Valuation in Conservation. OUP.

Standard & widely applicable models

Multi-service, multi-sector• Biodiversity

• Ecosystem services– Carbon sequestration– Avoided reservoir sedimentation– Hydropower production– Open-access harvest– Crop pollination – Commercial timber production– Flood control– Irrigation water (for ag)– Water purification: nutrient retention– Agricultural production– Recreation and tourism– Cultural and aesthetic values

What’s ready now?

• Biodiversity

• Ecosystem services– Carbon sequestration– Avoided reservoir sedimentation– Hydropower production– Open-access harvest– Crop pollination – Commercial timber production– Flood control– Irrigation water (for ag)– Water purification: nutrient retention– Agricultural production– Recreation and tourism– Cultural and aesthetic values

Wild fisheries & aquacultureCoastal Protection Recreation & tourismEnergy from waves

Marine InVEST is under development

Decision tools oriented around InVEST

• Putting InVEST in a decision context– What InVEST can and can’t do– When to use InVEST – Scenario development– Stakeholder engagement– Communicating results

China

Tanzania

InVEST used in real life examples

Hawai’i

• Test InVEST with field partners and experts• Ensure useful, relevant• Refine models

Colombia & Ecuador

California

A small selection from a growing number of sites

Mekong

AmazonAlbertine

Rift

Puget Sound

Mexico

Borneo &Sumatra

Vancouver Island

InVEST in the decision cycle

Stakeholders

Place-basedscenarios

Policy input

Mapping tool

Decision

Results

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Where are ecosystem services supplied on my company’s land?

What land-use pattern would optimise those ecosystem services that my company depends on?

Business Benefits 1: Strategic Land & Water Management

Ecosystem services integratedOriginal zoning plan

An example from China: Ecological Function Conservation Areas

Businesses involved: Hydropower, mining and tourism

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Business Benefits 2:

Environmental safeguards & license to operate

$17 million loss 12 species lost

$1 million loss $5 million gain

Business Benefits 2:

Environmental safeguards & license to operate

Carbon Storage

Water Quality

Water Yield IncomeBiofuels

Subdivision

Ag & Forestry

An example from Hawaii:Kamehameha Schools Land-use planning

Businesses involved:• Electricity producers• Agriculture• Biofuels• Real estate• Cattle ranchers

Business Benefits 3: Seizing emerging ES markets

Who pays whom in a PES?

How to scale up?

An example from Colombia & Ecuador: Water Funds

Businesses involved:• Hydropower• Sugar cane producers• Water utilities

Take Homes

Google’s Earth Engine

Data compilation and technical capacity?

InVEST is next