Comparing strengths and weaknesses of three ecosystem services modelling tools in a diverse UK river catchment

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.160
• Publication Date: 2017-01-29T04:45:30Z
• Authors: Katrina Sharps; Dario Masante; Amy Thomas; Bethanna Jackson; John Redhead; Linda May; Havard Prosser; Bernard Cosby; Bridget Emmett; Laurence Jones
• Keywords: Strengths and weaknesses

Ecosystem services modelling tools can help land managers and policy makers evaluate the impacts of alternative management options or changes in use on delivery ecosystem services. As variety complexity these increases, there is a need for comparative studies across range settings, allowing users to make an informed choice. Using examples provisioning regulating (water supply, carbon storage nutrient retention), we compare three spatially explicit – LUCI (Land Utilisation Capability Indicator), ARIES (Artificial Intelligence Services) InVEST (Integrated Valuation Services Tradeoffs). Models were parameterised UK applied temperate catchment with widely varying North Wales. Although each tool provides quantitative mapped output, be different contexts, work at local national scale, they differ approaches taken underlying assumptions made. In this study, focus wide outputs produced service discuss differences between tool. Model validated using empirical data river flow, levels within catchment. The sensitivity models land-use change was tested four scenarios severity, evaluating conversion grassland habitat woodland (0–30% landscape). We show that, while provide broadly comparable outputs, has its own unique features strengths. Therefore choice depends study question.