InVEST Nirmal Bhagabati Emily 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 revenues drinking water quality erosion control carbon sequestration and 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

Tiered Approach Tier 1Tier 2 SimpleComplex Models Data Tier 3 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 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 & aquaculture Coastal Protection Recreation & tourism Energy 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 Amazon Albertine Rift Puget Sound Mexico Borneo & Sumatra Vancouver Island

InVEST in the decision cycle Stakeholders Place-based scenarios Policy input Mapping tool Decision Results

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

? ?? ? 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 Income Biofuels 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