GIS for InVEST

The GIS for InVEST is a video tutorial series that provides step-by-step guidance related to a variety of geographic information system (GIS) topics for working with InVEST models. Each tutorial covers one topic, and each topic is presented in both ArcGIS and QGIS.

GIS for InVEST video series

These tutorials are for anyone with a basic familiarity with GIS concepts and software (QGIS in particular). If you have never used GIS before, the videos will not provide foundational instruction—they are focused on techniques needed for InVEST modeling. If you consider yourself an intermediate to advanced GIS user, these lessons might be too basic for you.

If you are new to GIS or InVEST, we strongly recommend taking an introductory class before beginning this video series. We’ve provided a few recommendations below.

A Gentle Introduction to GIS for QGIS
Getting started with GIS from ESRI, using ArcGIS
QGIS documentation, including tutorials
Learn ArcGIS tutorials from ESRI
Lesson Gallery for ArcGIS

Using the tutorials:

These are hands-on tutorials that are intended to stand alone. To get the most out of them, we recommend following along in your own GIS session. Sample data is provided with each individual tutorial, so before beginning each tutorial, please download the associated data and unzip it on your computer. Also, you will need a recent version of either QGIS or ArcGIS installed.

Check back for new topics, as we continue to add new tutorials. Please send any feedback about how they may be improved, as well as suggestions for topics to cover to our Community Forum, using the Category of “Training.”

Creating watershed using QGIS
–sample data pack

Creating watersheds using ArcGIS
–sample data pack

Creating Stream Networks using QGIS
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Creating Stream Networks using ArcGIS
–sample data pack

Preparing the DEM using QGIS
–sample data pack

Preparing the DEM using ArcGIS
–sample data pack

Vector Basics using QGIS
–sample data pack

Vector Basics using ArcGIS
–sample data pack

Symbology using QGIS
–sample data pack

Symbology using ArcGIS
–sample data pack

Coordinate Systems using QGIS
–sample data pack

Coordinate Systems using ArcGIS
–sample data pack