Joint Species Distribution Modelling : With Applications in R

Joint species distribution modelling (JSDM) is a fast-developing field and promises to revolutionise how data on ecological communities are analysed and interpreted. Written for both readers with a limited statistical background, and those with statistical expertise, this book provides a comprehensive account of JSDM. It enables readers to integrate data on species abundances, environmental covariates, species traits, phylogenetic relationships, and the spatio-temporal context in which the data have been acquired. Step-by-step coverage of the full technical detail of statistical methods is provided, as well as advice on interpreting results of statistical analyses in the broader context of modern community ecology theory. With the advantage of numerous example R-scripts, this is an ideal guide to help graduate students and researchers learn how to conduct and interpret statistical analyses in practice with the R-package Hmsc, providing a fast starting point for applying joint species distribution modelling to their own data.

Presents a conceptual, theoretical and historical background to community ecology, enabling readers to link statistical methods and results of statistical analyses to community ecology theory
Develops the joint species distribution model of Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities step-by-step and in great detail, encouraging readers with a limited statistical background to connect mathematical equations with their intuitive interpretations, and providing readers with statistical expertise with full technical details
Includes an extensive set of examples and illustrations of joint species distribution modelling, implemented through the R-package HMSC-R, allowing readers to connect the theoretical parts of the book to practical implementations, and to modify the example R-scripts to analyse their own data