Immersive Analytics for Understanding Ecosystem Services Tradeoffs

Existing immersive systems for analysing geospatial data relating to ecosystem services are not designed for all groups involved with land use decision making. Land management scientists have different requirements compared to non-experts as the tasks they perform are different. Land use decision making needs better tools for assisting the analysis and exploration of land use decisions, and their effect on ecosystem services. In this research, a user centred design process is applied for developing and evaluating an immersive VR visualization tool to assist with better decision making around land use. Interviews with experts found issues with how their current tool presents analysis results, and problems with communicating their results to stakeholders. A literature review found no pre-existing immersive VR systems specifically for analysing tradeoffs among ecosystem services.