InVEST Toolbox Beta Version Ecosystem Service Modeling Team College of Natural Resources North Carolina State University Fall 2010 SWOT Analysis

PositiveNegative Internal Origin StrengthsWeaknesses External Origin OpportunitiesThreats WHAT IS A SWOT ANALYSIS? S: Strengths W: Weaknesses O: Opportunities T: Threats

STRENGTHS Models simplicity vs. complexity scale of study area flexibility Applicable to Other GIS Data Sets North Carolina biodiversity datasets human health datasets Outputs are Based in Production Functions define how an ecosystem’s structure and function affect the flows and values of ecosystem services Multiple Valuation Methods hedonic property valuation contingent valuation change in productivity

WEAKNESSES Complexity dbf vs. excel data requirements few point-and-click options Limited to ArcGIS Users Ambiguity of Instruction

THREATS Value of Ecosystem Services in Competitive Markets Theoretical Perspective Conflicts engineer vs. conserve economy vs. ecology Ease of Data Acquisition Ecosystem Service Jargon “SEXY” topics

OPPORTUNITIES Markets are Poised for Growth Environmental Issues are in the Spotlight Special Interest Groups are Looking for New Tools Interdisciplinary Fields are Growing