Bayesian spatial SEM for lichen biodiversity

Lichen functional traits are widely used as ecological indicators of environmental quality and, especially, of air pollution. However, due to the high variability of lichen flora across geographic, climatic and ecological gradients, it is often difficult to differentiate the effects of atmospheric pollutants and those of other environmental variables. In order to evaluate this complex relationship, a Bayesian generalized common spatial factor model has been applied to a real data set concerning lichen biodiversity in Liguria region (NW Italy).