Hi! I am wondering if there is a process to propose changes to components of the InVEST models based on testing and validation?
Thanks!
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Hi @Emma ,
Welcome to the forum!
The InVEST source code is publicly available and we welcome user input as part of our continuous efforts to improve the software. You could propose changes here in the forum that we will consider. If you have specific suggestions related to code changes, you can submit pull requests or file issues in the InVEST Github repository.
Thanks for your testing and validation efforts and we look forward to seeing your proposed changes!
-Jesse
@Emma I just wanted to add here that we are currently working on contributor documentation that should help you to get started, and also that if the proposed contribution is a change to the science or design of the model, then we will need to make sure that the model’s science team is aware of and approves the change.
Which model are you thinking about proposing changes to? And could you summarize the nature of the changes?
Thanks!
James
Hi James and Jesse, thanks for your quick responses!
I am working with Perrine Hamel (previously at Nat Cap). We have primarily been working with the Urban Cooling model. We want to propose integrating the existing calibration tool with some additional functionality into the Workbench. Essentially streamlining the calibration process based on our efforts using the tool and reflecting needs of the stakeholders we work with.
Is this the right place to start this conversation?
Thanks!
Emma
Ok great, @Emma now that we know you’re working with Perrine, I’m assuming that the calibration tool is the one developed and described in GMD - Calibrating and validating the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) urban cooling model: case studies in France and the United States with source code available at GitHub - martibosch/invest-ucm-calibration: Automated calibration of the InVEST urban cooling model with simulated annealing
Could you say more about what “integration” and “streamlining” means to you in this case? And what challenges are you trying to solve with integration and streamlining?
One other thing I want to be sure to mention is that (even though we don’t have public documentation of this yet!), major changes to a model’s behavior may require review and approval by our Platform Steering Committee. Since this is sometimes a bottleneck for development timelines, we are also working on a major feature to InVEST to be released this summer that would allow you to develop extensions to InVEST that don’t require any involvement by the NatCap software team, in case that is of interest.
Hi all, closing this thread as this conversation has been initiated elsewhere with Perrine and others. Thanks for your help
Please feel free to report back here if you have any updates! Others in the community may be interested in staying updated on progress, or even contributing to the effort.
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