Integrated model for BiodIversity distribution projectionS (ibis.iSDM)

The ibis.iSDM R-package is a set of modular convenience functions that allows the integration of different data sources, such as presence-only, community survey, expert ranges or species habitat preferences, in a single model or ensemble of models. Further it supports convenient parameter transformations and tuning, data preparation helpers and allows the creation of spatial-temporal projections and scenarios. Ecological constraints such as projection limits, dispersal, connectivity or adaptability can be added in a modular fashion thus helping to prevent unrealistic estimates of species distribution changes.

The ibis.iSDM R-package makes use of a series of methodological advances and is aimed to be a vehicle for creating more realistic and constrained spatial predictions. Besides providing convenience functions for a range of different statistical models as well as an increasing number of wrappers for mechanistic modules, ibis.iSDM also introduces several innovative concepts such as sequential or weighted integration, or thresholding by prediction uncertainty. The overall framework will be continued to be improved and further functionalities be added.