Aries tool

It aims to provide a suite of models that support science-based decision-making where nature counts. Besides ecosystem services, ARIES also tackles natural capital accounting, food security, marine spatial planning, and renewable energy. Spreadsheets, databases e. Access , maps global maps are available by default online or GIS databases. The software will prioritize specific process-based models and revert to simpler models where required.

It is based on the k. LAB technology which allows researchers to contribute models and scientific data that simulate and integrate environmental and socioeconomic systems.

The system to be analysed is defined by selecting a spatial context i. This allows for a detailed and dynamic assessment of how nature provides benefits to people. ARIES has global models for carbon storage, sediment regulation, pollination, crop production, nature-based tourism, outdoor recreation, and monetary valuation of forest ecosystem services through spatially explicit meta-analysis; with models of riverine flood regulation and water supply in advanced prototype and regional models for western Europe available for additional services like timber supply and forage production.

Explorer suitable for non-technical users was released in Model outputs were validated using empirical data for river flow, carbon and nutrient levels within the catchment. You can get in touch via aries integratedmodelling. You can contact the team using the email aries integratedmodelling. Villa et al. The CAZ is a largely forested, newly protected area with a rural population of , that supplies water to the national capital of Antananarivo.

Water demand, simulating water-delivery dynamics accounting for precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, runoff and rival use where each user reduces water available to others was modelled.

A water budget for the region was computed and water demand for irrigation, tourism, residential use and livestock was estimated separately. To measure water quality, a model was developed to map erosion and hydrological flow paths of sediment using a range of soil erosion models.

Analyses identified that CAZ's natural features are critical for protecting water quality for use by downstream beneficiaries. Rice agriculture uses the largest amount of water and while current demand is being met, areas inside CAZ do not have the potential to sustain greater demand resulting from future deforestation and climate change. Bagstad et al. Models considered the spatial location of beneficiaries and the spatial connections that mediate service flows between people and ecosystems.

With the exception of the carbon sequestration service, regions that actually provided services to people, i. This information can provide a sounder basis for economic valuation and policy application than research that only considers theoretical provision of services, i.

The key findings for ARIES were that the tool is best run at a landscape or catchment scale, and although generalisability is currently low and applicable only to case study sites, this will be vastly improved if global models are developed. ARIES allows for a quantitative assessment of uncertainty and the biophysical values derived as outputs have the potential to be monetized. ARIES probabilistic models, which are encoded as Bayesian belief networks, may be more suitable in comparison with other tools such as InVEST where data are scarce and ecological processes are less well understood.

Finally, an available data archive would mean that ARIES could be run with lower time and resource requirements. The study concluded that while the modelling tools provide broadly comparable quantitative outputs, each has its own unique features and strengths.

Therefore, the choice of tool depends on the study question. Cost of the tool and guidance :. Resource requirement software :. Standalone k. LAB software tool environment. Explorer is run from a web-based platform, and by early will be available through the U.

Global Platform. Level of technical expertise required:. Types of ecosystem service included:. How does it work? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

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