InSite Score
Detail on NatureServe's InSite Score: what it is, use cases, and classification details.
NatureServe's InSite score estimates relative biodiversity value based on comprehensive national data, including spatial models. It's an aggregate score intended to provide an overview summary of biodiversity assets across a site.
Why the InSite score is useful
Regrid customers evaluate parcels for a wide variety of purposes. Some users are seeking to best understand where to site new businesses, buildings, infrastructure, or perform other activities on the land. Others might be seeking areas for conservation purposes. Regardless of the purpose, having information on the biodiversity impact made by a particular parcel is a beneficial element to consider regardless of the purpose. Some of the reasons for this consideration are:
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The process of building anything on parcels with a high InSite score may be more complex due to permitting being more difficult leading to time delays, and potentially encountering other environmental impacts that must be mitigated for due to existing regulations.
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From an ecological perspective, it makes sense to select the parcels that have the lowest score to minimize human impact on the environment.
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From a conservation perpective it will have a higher impact to preserve land that already has a high InSite score than to prioritize properties with lower scores.
Score inputs
The InSite score is an aggregate that has multiple inputs. Full methodology and details for the sub-metrics can be found on NatureServe's "About the Data" page.
- Species Extinction Risk (areas where species at risk of extinction are likely to occur)
- Priority Ecosystem Extent (how much of the site is covered by globally imperiled vegetation ecosystem types)
- Ecosystem Condition (measured using NatureServe’s Landscape Condition Model)
Score details
Scores are based on a comparison of the site average to the national average and can have the following values:
| Insite Score Values | Description |
|---|---|
| Very High | More than 30% above the national average |
| High | 10-30% above the national average |
| Moderate | Within 10% of the national average |
| Low | 10-30% below the national average |
| Very Low | More than 30% below the national average |
The InSite by NatureServe report is based on national data, including spatial models, and is intended to provide an overview summary of biodiversity assets and the estimated relative biodiversity value across a site. It is not intended to replace on-site inventory and monitoring or state environmental review processes, though it does provide information to (1) support planning for the former and (2) connect users to local data and environmental review tools available through NatureServe’s state member programs for the latter.
Updated 9 days ago