Precipitation and evapotranspiration data length for applying the InVEST SWY model in southern Chile

Science, Research & Data
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I am currently conducting my master’s thesis, which aims to explore how the integration of spatially explicit ecosystem services modeling and their socio-cultural valuation can support decision-making in local territorial planning. This is addressed by analyzing the relationship between the landscape’s contribution to the seasonal provision of hydrological ecosystem services using the InVEST Seasonal Water Yield (SWY) model, and the social perception of their importance, gathered through a local ecosystem services perception survey. The ultimate goal is to generate useful inputs for territorial planning in an urban–lacustrine city in the southern Andean region of Chile.

In this context, for implementing the SWY model in Pucón, Chile, I would like to know: how many years of precipitation and evapotranspiration data are recommended for the model to perform optimally?

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Hi @Fernanda ,

Thanks for writing in to the forum. We’ve also worked in Chile recently: 3Ps Chile Pilot Project: Maximizing Benefits of Natural Capital Through Integrating Policies Across Sectors | Natural Capital Alliance .

For climate inputs to the InVEST SWY model, we ideally recommend using average values covering at least 10 years worth of precipitation and ET data. Up to 30 years may be even more preferable, but you’ve got to do the best with what’s available to you.

-Jesse