embarcadero: Species distribution modelling with Bayesian additive regression trees in R

Abstract

O_LIembarcadero is an R package of convenience tools for species distribution modelling with Bayesian additive regression trees (BART), a powerful machine learning approach that has been rarely applied to ecological problems. C_LIO_LILike other classification and regression tree methods, BART estimates the probability of a binary outcome based on a set of decision trees. Unlike other methods, BART iteratively generates sets of trees based on a set of priors about tree structure and nodes, and builds a posterior distribution of estimated classification probabilities. So far, BARTs have yet to be applied to species distribution modelling. C_LIO_LIembarcadero is a workflow wrapper for BART species distribution models, and includes functionality for easy spatial prediction, an automated variable selection procedure, several types of partial dependence visualization, and other tools for ecological application. The embarcadero package is available open source on Github and intended for eventual CRAN release. C_LIO_LITo show how embarcadero can be used by ecologists, I illustrate a BART workflow for a virtual species distribution model. The supplement includes a more advanced vignette showing how BART can be used for mapping disease transmission risk, using the example of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Africa. C_LI