SWOT Analysis
InVEST Toolbox Beta Version 1.005
Ecosystem Service Modeling Team
College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University
Fall 2010
Positive
Negative
Internal
Origin
Strengths
Weaknesses
External
Origin
WHAT IS A SWOT ANALYSIS?
Opportunities
Threats
 S: Strengths
 W: Weaknesses
 O: Opportunities
 T: Threats
STRENGTHS
 Models
 simplicity vs. complexity
 scale of study area
 flexibility
 Applicable to Other GIS Data Sets
 North Carolina biodiversity datasets
 human health datasets
 Outputs are Based in Production Functions
 define how an ecosystem’s structure and function affect the flows and
values of ecosystem services
 Multiple Valuation Methods
 hedonic property valuation
 contingent valuation
 change in productivity
WEAKNESSES
 Complexity
 dbf vs. excel
 data requirements
 few point-and-click options
 Limited to ArcGIS Users
 Ambiguity of Instruction
THREATS
 Value of Ecosystem Services in Competitive Markets
 Theoretical Perspective Conflicts
 engineer vs. conserve
 economy vs. ecology
 Ease of Data Acquisition
 Ecosystem Service Jargon
 “SEXY” topics
OPPORTUNITIES
 Markets are Poised for Growth
 Environmental Issues are in the Spotlight
 Special Interest Groups are Looking for New Tools
 Interdisciplinary Fields are Growing