pybaywatch 2026.6.25

PyBAYWATCH: BAYWATCH in Python

PyBAYWATCH

This package incorporates a set of Bayesian hierarchical Proxy System Models (PSMs, i.e., forward data models) for sedimentary paleoclimate records in Python, including:

• BAYSPAR: for TEX$_{86}$ in paleotemperature proxy (Tierney and Tingley, 2014, 2015).
• BAYSPLINE: for U$^{K'}_{37}$ in alkenone paleothermometer (Tierney and Tingley, 2018).
• BAYMAG: for Mg/Ca in planktic foraminifera (Tierney et al., 2019).
• BAYFOX: for global plankit foraminifera $\delta^{18}$O(Malevich et al., 2019).
• BAYMBT: for the branched GDGT MBT5Me proxy in soils, peats, and lakes (Dearing Crampton-Flood et al., 2020; Martínez-Sosa et al., 2021).

It includes two modes: (i) Python wrappers for the original Matlab codebases, and (ii) pure Python versions. The detailed supporting information is provided below:

Model	Python wrapper	Pure Python
BAYSPAR	✅	✅
BAYSPINE	❌ (due to a non-open Matlab toolbox)	✅
BAYMAG	✅	✅
BAYFOX	✅	✅
BAYMBT	✅	✅

Installation

pip install pybaywatch

References

• Tierney, J. E. & Tingley, M. P. A Bayesian, spatially-varying calibration model for the TEX86 proxy. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 127, 83–106 (2014).
• Tierney, J. E. & Tingley, M. P. A TEX86 surface sediment database and extended Bayesian calibration. Sci Data 2, 150029 (2015).
• Tierney, J. E. & Tingley, M. P. BAYSPLINE: A New Calibration for the Alkenone Paleothermometer. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 33, 281–301 (2018).
• Tierney, J. E., Malevich, S. B., Gray, W., Vetter, L. & Thirumalai, K. Bayesian Calibration of the Mg/Ca Paleothermometer in Planktic Foraminifera. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 34, 2005–2030 (2019).
• Malevich, S. B., Vetter, L. & Tierney, J. E. Global Core Top Calibration of δ18O in Planktic Foraminifera to Sea Surface Temperature. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology 34, 1292–1315 (2019).
• Dearing Crampton-Flood, E., Tierney, J. E., Peterse, F., Kirkels, F. M. S. A. & Sinninghe Damsté, J. S. BayMBT: A Bayesian calibration model for branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers in soils and peats. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 268, 142–159 (2020).
• Martínez-Sosa, P. et al. A global Bayesian temperature calibration for lacustrine brGDGTs. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 305, 87–105 (2021).