If you end up landing on piecewiseSEM, check out the semEff package as well
(https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/semEff/index.html). Fairly new
package with some familiar routines built for piecewiseSEM models. The
maintainer is very responsive and transparent. Not trying to volunteer him
for a slew of emails though?.
I'll also echo other suggestions about any Grace pub when it comes to SEM.
A few more suggestions for papers by Grace and some others that may be
helpful:
Laughlin, D., and J. Grace. 2019. Discoveries and novel insights in ecology
using structural equation modeling. Ideas in Ecology and Evolution.
Grace, J. B., and K. M. Irvine. 2020. Scientist?s guide to developing
explanatory statistical models using causal analysis principles. Ecology.
Grace, J. B., D. R. Schoolmaster, G. R. Guntenspergen, A. M. Little, B. R.
Mitchell, K. M. Miller, and E. W. Schweiger. 2012. Guidelines for a
graph-theoretic implementation of structural equation modeling. Ecosphere.
https://jslefche.github.io/sem_book/
Finally, without knowing anything about your data, I'll throw this package
out there, fwiw (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/semPLS/index.html)
HTH, and good luck!
--
James E. Garabedian, PhD
Research Wildlife Biologist
Center for Forest Watershed Research
U.S. Forest Service-Southern Research Station