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Software Support & Resources

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InVEST Attribution Guidelines

When referring to analyses or data products that were produced with InVEST, please cite the use of InVEST and include a hyperlink (e.g., This analysis used InVEST®: https://naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu/software/invest).The trademark symbol (®) should be used at the first mention of InVEST. The full citation for papers, reports, etc. is available in the InVEST User Guide. You are also welcome to use the InVEST logo in line with our Trademark and Logo Use Policy.

InVEST Helper Tools

In some cases, weʼve found that “helper tools” can really simplify the use of InVEST. Learn more about these and other experimental tools by checking out the experimental tools thread on our community forum.

DelineateIT

This tool delineates watersheds for points of interest along a stream network (e.g., drinking water intake points, hydropower facilities, reservoirs). Using a DEM, DelineateIT identifies the area upstream of points of interest and creates watershed maps for use as inputs to InVEST freshwater models or for other analyses. DelineateIT is available as module within the InVEST software package, but useful without InVEST. Read its user’s guide here.

RouteDEM

RouteDEM calculates flow direction, flow accumulation, slope and stream networks from a DEM using the d-infinity flow direction algorithm. RouteDEM outperforms routing algorithms as implemented in other free and proprietary GIS software. RouteDEM is available as a module within the InVEST software package, but also useful without InVEST. Read its user’s guide here.

InVEST Dashboards

InVEST Dashboards automate common synthesis and visualization tasks that may be necessary after running an InVEST model. With dashboards, you can explore InVEST outputs in a web browser with interactive maps and charts, share results with colleagues by simply sending a link, and spend less time fussing over layer symbologies in GIS and more time exploring results. Explore our Habitat Risk Assessment (HRA) dashboard.

InVEST Python API

InVEST can be integrated into more complex workflows and analyses by using its Application Programming Interface (API) within the Python programming language. InVEST is available for download on the Python Package Index, and API documentation is available online.