This code repository contains tools and files related to the Rapid Benefit Indicators (RBI) assessment approach.
###Overview The RBI approach is an easy-to-use process for assessing restoration sites using non-monetary benefit indicators. It uses readily-available data to estimate and quantify benefits to people around an ecological restoration site. Whether you are a federal, state, or local manager, or a member of an interest group or funding organization, this simple yet powerful site analysis will allow you and your stakeholders to systematically and equitably incorporate social benefits in restoration decisions. All materials are also accessible from US EPA.
###RBI Approach Fact Sheet This downloadable one-page document briefly describes the RBI approach and how it might be used. Also accessible from US EPA.
###Assessing the Benefits of Wetland Restoration - A Rapid Benefits Indicators Approach for Decision Markers Downloadable PDF of the full EPA Report, also accessible from US EPA.
Description: This EPA report presents the RBI approach using an example application to wetland restoration. In this guide, each step of the RBI Approach is introduced by an overview section that summarizes the step and explains how to apply it. Following the full walkthrough of each step, you will find “Step in Action” pages that demonstrate how the step is applied in a real-world scenario, using an example application to freshwater wetland restoration in the Woonasquatucket River Watershed in Rhode Island, USA.
###Rapid Benefit Indicator (RBI) Checklist Tool Interactive, Macro-Enabled Excel workbook (.xlsm). Also accessible from US EPA.
Description: This tool accompanies the guidebook and provides a way to record information and compare sites using the RBI approach. The spreadsheet-based tool includes prompts to guide you through the assessment process, and automatically summarizes entries.
###Rapid Benefit Indicators (RBI) Checklist Tool - Quick Start Manual Downloadable PDF manual that provides guidance on using the Checklist Tool. Also accessible from US EPA.
###Rapid Benefit Indicators (RBI) Checklist Tool - Fillable Forms Downloadable fillable PDF version of the Checklist Tool. For an alternative to the spreadsheet-based RBI Approach Checklist Tool, these fillable, formatted sheets are available. The PDF does not have all the functionality of the spreadsheet and will only allow for the comparison of two sites at a time, but will work on systems that may not be able to run the spreadsheet-based checklist tool. Also accessible from US EPA.
###Rapid Benefit Indicators (RBI) Spatial Analysis Toolset The toolset and associated manual can also be accessed from US EPA.
###RBI Approach Spatial Analysis Toolset - ArcGIS toolbox This toolset is intended to be used to analyze existing spatial information to produce metrics for the indicators developed in the RBI approach Guidebook. The RBI Spatial Analysis (.pyt) Toolbox uses ArcPy functionality within ArcGIS to run the spatial analysis. This tool can be used in place of the Checklist Tool and produces a similar formatted PDF report of results. Also accessible from US EPA.
###RBI Approach Spatial Analysis Toolset - Manual This Spatial Analysis Toolset Manual gives directions on the mechanics of the toolbox and its data requirements. The manual does not detail the reasoning behind the indicators and how to use results of the assessment; this information is found in the RBI Approach Guidebook. Also accessible from US EPA.
##Related Research The RBI Approach was developed as part of a research effort within EPA’s Office of Research and Development’s Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Research Program. Other components of this research are available elsewhere:
###Benefit Indicators for Flood Regulation Services of Wetlands: A Modeling Approach. This report describes a modeling process, following the RBI Approach, used to develop indicators to assess increases in flood protection benefits from wetlands restoration. Accessible from US EPA.
###Barriers, Opportunities, and Strategies for Urban Ecosystem Restoration: Lessons Learned from Restoration Managers in Rhode Island, U.S.A. This is a report that presents barriers, opportunities, and strategies for restoration projects and synthesizes lessons learned by restoration managers working in primarily urban settings. Accessible from US EPA.
###Manager Perspectives on Communication and Public Engagement in Ecological Restoration Project Success. This article focuses on the restoration community in Rhode Island, USA and the rivers, wetlands, marshes, and estuaries they work to protect, to draw connections among communication, community involvement, and ecological restoration project success. Offering real-world examples drawn from interviews with 27 local, state, federal, and nonprofit restoration managers, it synthesizes the mechanisms that managers found effective. Accessible from Ecology and Society
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