InVEST 3.16.0 has been release! with a new Plugin feature. From the InVEST Workbench users can install a 3rd party InVEST-like model which can be run just like any InVEST model. Plugins will make the InVEST Workbench a home and distribution mechanism for ecosystem service model developers, whether they are NatCap staff or part of the Ecosystem Services community of practitioners.
Anyone uses InVEST? And if so, which models and for what purposes? What are the alternatives?
Always looking to share knowledge and insights particularly to build experience on the use of the tourism and recreation, habitat risk, and coastal vulnerability models
Also feel free to leave a review in 'The Inventory'!
Further info:
5 August 2025 7:27pm
If you're curious about InVEST I just created a page in "The Inventory" (see link on this page) with some resources and just wanted to hlighlight some potentially interesting models that are worth having a look at!
- Habitat Quality: this model uses habitat quality and rarity as proxies to represent the biodiversity of a landscape, estimating the extent of habitat and vegetation types across a landscape, and their state of degradation.
- Habitat Risk Assessment: this model evaluates risks posed to coastal and marine habitats in terms of exposure to human activities and the habitat-specific consequence of that exposure for delivery of ecosystem services.
Crop Pollination: this model focuses on wild pollinators providing an ecosystem service. The model estimates insect pollinator nest sites, floral resources, and flight ranges to derive an index of pollinator abundance on each cell on a landscape. If desired, the model can creates an index of the value of these pollinators to agricultural production, and attributes this value back to source cells.

Liz Ferguson
Ocean Science Analytics
8 August 2025 2:23pm
Hi Elsa,
We have used InVEST for a pollinator project we supported (the crop pollination model - details here), and looking to using it more for marine and coastal applications so really appreciate the details you shared here!
Cheers,
Liz
Elsa Carla De Grandi
Fauna & Flora