Bayesian Spatial Autocorrelation

Bayesian Spatial Autocorrelation embeds spatial dependence directly into a Bayesian hierarchical model. A Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) prior encodes the expectation that neighboring areas are more similar than distant ones, and posterior inference is obtained via MCMC. This approach is especially valuable in disease mapping, ecology, and regional science, where small-area estimates need borrowing strength across neighbors.