Resilience Scanner

InVEST Ecosystem Services Modeling for Climate Adaptation Planning

Solution Overview

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality staff received comprehensive training on the InVEST modeling program through SECAP workshops, which were conducted to build capacity in climate adaptation, mitigation, and monitoring.[1] These workshops included training on technical tools and methodologies for assessing climate risks and ecosystem services.[1] The initiative was developed under the EU4 Energy Transition: Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey project.[1]

Technical Components

The InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) modeling program is a suite of free, open-source software models developed by Stanford University's Natural Capital Project.[7] The Habitat Quality model within InVEST 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.[7] The model combines maps of land use land cover (LULC) with data on threats to habitats and habitat response.[7] Habitat quality and rarity in the InVEST model are functions of four factors: each threat's relative impact, the relative sensitivity of each habitat type to each threat, the distance between habitats and sources of threats, and the degree to which the land is legally protected.[7]

Implementation Details

IMM staff were given detailed information on the use of the InVEST modeling program as part of SECAP workshops.[1][2][3] Using this technology, a map of Istanbul's biodiversity and habitat degradation areas was produced, and the relevant indexes were presented in a table.[1][2][3] Through analysis and modeling, 10 vulnerable areas were identified in Istanbul's forests, serving as a basis for adaptation planning and awareness activities.[8]

Benefits and Impacts

The implementation produced comprehensive spatial analysis outputs that enable municipal staff to visualize biodiversity patterns and habitat degradation across Istanbul's landscape.[1][2][3] The identification of 10 vulnerable forest areas provides a concrete foundation for targeted adaptation planning and awareness activities.[8] The capacity-building approach equips municipal staff with technical expertise in assessing climate risks and ecosystem services, enabling ongoing monitoring and analysis capabilities.[1]

Climate Adaptation Relevance

This approach addresses climate adaptation needs by providing spatial assessment tools that identify vulnerable biodiversity and habitat areas requiring protection or restoration. The mapping of habitat degradation areas enables municipal authorities to prioritize climate adaptation interventions in forest ecosystems that provide critical services such as temperature regulation, water retention, and carbon sequestration. The identification of 10 vulnerable forest areas creates a targeted framework for implementing adaptation measures that strengthen ecosystem resilience against climate impacts.[8]

Business Analysis

The use of free, open-source software models from Stanford University's Natural Capital Project eliminates licensing costs and enables replicable implementation across municipal departments.[7] The capacity-building model through SECAP workshops represents an investment in institutional knowledge that creates ongoing analytical capabilities without recurring software expenses.[1] The EU4 Energy Transition: Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey project provided the policy framework and likely financial support for this training initiative, demonstrating how international climate cooperation programs can facilitate technology transfer and capacity building.[1]

Sources