Posts tagged marginalization
Hidden Markov Models in PyMC: marginalize and recover a DiscreteMarkovChain
- 18 July 2026
A hidden Markov model (HMM) describes a system that moves through a sequence of hidden discrete states, where each state emits a noisy observation. We never see the states directly; we only see the emissions, and we want to reason backward to the states that most likely produced them.
Estimating species distributions with occupancy models
- 18 January 2026
Estimating where species live is one of the most common tasks in ecology. Recreational birders know that every field guide includes a range map showing where a species can be found, as well as habitat information to help locate the animals. For example, a field guide for Swiss birds might tell you that Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) are most likely found in forests at intermediate elevations. Both of these tasks–mapping ranges and estimating habitat relationships–fall under the umbrella of species distribution modeling.