InVEST User Guide

Download a pdf version of the InVEST documentation.

Editors: Heather Tallis, Taylor Ricketts, Anne Guerry, Spencer Wood, and Richard Sharp.

Contributing Authors: Erik Nelson, Driss Ennaanay, Stacie Wolny, Nasser Olwero, Kari Vigerstol, Derric Pennington, Guillermo Mendoza, Juliann Aukema, John Foster, Jessica Forrest, Dick Cameron, Katie Arkema, Eric Lonsdorf, Christina Kennedy, Gregory Verutes, Chong-Ki Kim, Gregory Guannel, Michael Papenfus, Jodie Toft, Matthew Marsik, and Joey Bernhardt.

Citation: Tallis, H.T., Ricketts, T., Guerry, A.D., Wood, S.A., Sharp, R., Nelson, E., Ennaanay, D., Wolny, S., Olwero, N., Vigerstol, K., Pennington, D., Mendoza, G., Aukema, J., Foster, J., Forrest, J., Cameron, D., Arkema, K., Lonsdorf, E., Kennedy, C., Verutes, G., Kim, C.K., Guannel, G., Papenfus, M., Toft, J., Marsik, M., and Bernhardt, J. 2011. InVEST 2.2.1 User’s Guide. The Natural Capital Project, Stanford.

Front-matter

• The Need for a New Tool
  • Introduction
  • Who should use InVEST?
  • Introduction to InVEST
  • A work in progress
  • This guide
• Getting Started
  • Getting started with InVEST
  • Installing the InVEST tool and data on your computer
  • Downloading and installing Python library extensions
  • Adding the InVEST toolbox to ArcMap
  • Using sample data
  • Formatting your data
  • Running the models
  • Support information
  • Model run checklist
  • Reporting errors
  • Working with the DEM
  • Resources

Marine Models

• Wave Energy Model
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The model
  • Data needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • Case example illustrating results
  • Appendix A
  • References
• Coastal Vulnerability Model
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The model
  • Limitations and Simplifications
  • Data needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • Appendix A
  • Appendix B
  • References
• Coastal Protection Model
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The model
  • Limitations and Simplifications
  • Data Needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • References
  • Appendix A
• Marine Fish Aquaculture
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Limitations and simplifications
  • Data needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • References
• Aesthetic Quality
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The model
  • Limitations and simplifications
  • Data needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • Case example illustrating results
  • References
• Overlap Analysis Model: Fisheries and Recreation (Tier 0)
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The model
  • Limitations and simplifications
  • Data needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • Case examples illustrating results
  • Appendix A
  • References
• Habitat Risk Assessment
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The model
  • Data needs
  • Running the model
  • Interpreting results
  • References

Terrestrial and Freshwater Models

• Biodiversity: Habitat Quality & Rarity
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Running the Model
  • References
• Carbon Storage and Sequestration
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Running the Model
  • Appendix: data sources
  • References
• Reservoir Hydropower Production
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Appendix A: Data Sources
  • Appendix B: Calibration of Water Yield Model
  • References
• Water Purification: Nutrient Retention
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Running the Model
  • Appendix: Data Sources
  • References
• Sediment Retention Model: Avoided dredging and water quality regulation
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Appendix: data sources
  • References
• Managed Timber Production Model
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Running the Model
  • References
• Crop Pollination
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • The Model
  • Running the Model
  • Appendix: Data sources
  • References
• Data Requirements and Outputs Summary Table

Acknowledgements

Marine Models

• Acknowledgements
  • Data sources
  • Individuals and organizations

Frequently Asked Questions

• Frequently Asked Questions

Roadmap

Marine Models

• What’s coming up for Marine InVEST models?
  • Planned modifications to InVEST models
  • Additional models under development