Spatial Evaluation for Natural Capital Evidence

SENCE provides maps of natural capital stocks to assess risks to ecosystem services such as from soil erosion, flood risk, storm surge, climate change and to identify best places in the landscape to invest to improve natural assets. For example, where to plant natural vegetation to reduce erosion, slow water flow to reduce flooding, reduce the effects of storm surges or store carbon. Satellite optical and radar data is used to map land use, landform, habitat and vegetation structure, delivering vital new environmental information in places that are remote, dangerous and expensive to survey by fieldwork. The product draws on freely available Sentinel-1 and 2 satellite imagery or other commercially available higher resolution imagery, providing a range of spatial resolution and can incorporate existing non- satellite environmental, cultural and land-use data. SENCE allows decision- makers to monitor natural capital, visualise and estimate the impact of scenarios of change, plan and deliver land management action for long-term sustainable development.