# Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) Source: [InVEST](https://naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu/software) InVEST is a free, open-source software suite developed by the Natural Capital Project of Stanford University. It helps map and value ecosystem services that are crucial for human well-being, such as food production and water purification. The tool is used by a variety of entities like governments and corporations to evaluate trade-offs among multiple uses of natural resources. It offers models for different types of ecosystems like terrestrial, freshwater, and marine. The tool produces spatially-explicit models, outputting data in maps that can be tailored for local, regional, or global analyses. The models account for both the supply of services from ecosystems and the location of beneficiaries. Outputs can be in biophysical or economic terms, such as tons of carbon sequestered or its net present value. The Natural Capital Project aims to motivate greater investment in natural capital and incorporate its value into decision-making processes, aiming to shift the paradigm to one where natural capital is better understood and managed. ## Ecosystem Service Categories InVest is a specialized tool that enables decision makers to assess quantified tradeoffs associated with alternative management choices and to identify areas where investment in natural capital can enhance human development and conservation. The toolset includes distinct ecosystem service models designed for terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and coastal ecosystems. ## Ecosystem Services Classified Offshore Wind Energy Habitat Risk Assessment Coastal Vulnerability Crop Pollination Urban Cooling Sediment Retention Scenic Quality Reservoir Hydropower Production (Water Yield) Crop Production Water Purification Recreation Wave Energy Carbon Urban Stormwater Retention Seasonal Water Yield Coastal Blue Carbon Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Habitat Quality --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.basin.global/appendix/ecosystem-services-classification/ecosystem-services-frameworks/integrated-valuation-of-ecosystem-services-and-tradeoffs-invest.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.