Date of Award

Summer 2026

Language

English

Embargo Period

6-17-2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College/School/Department

Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability

Program

Biodiversity, Conservation & Policy

First Advisor

Andrei Lapenas

Committee Members

Jeffrey Zappieri, Shiguo Jiang, Andrei Lapenas

Keywords

Crotalus horridus, least cost pathways, habitat suitability, habitat corridors, threatened species, road mortality

Subject Categories

Biodiversity

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to species that rely on landscape connectivity for movement in search of food, water, and mates. The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), listed as a threatened species in New York State, travels an average of 1.5 miles—and up to five miles—from permanent denning sites to reach habitat suitable for gestation, foraging, basking, and overwintering. Ongoing development in the lower Hudson Valley has increasingly fragmented these critical habitats, restricting movement between den populations. This thesis evaluates landscape barriers that contribute to population isolation and identifies opportunities to restore connectivity among timber rattlesnake metapopulations.

Using ArcGIS Pro, Linkage Mapper, and a habitat suitability model provided by New York Natural Heritage Program, a model was developed to predict least-cost pathways (LCPs) connecting critical use areas for timber rattlesnakes in southeastern New York. These pathways were compared with tax parcel data and documented snake observations to identify land parcels that may serve as important links between isolated populations. Road networks intersecting LCPs were also analyzed to identify potential barriers that disrupt key connectivity routes.

Results indicate that privately owned land parcels and major roadways intersect multiple LCPs and contribute to habitat fragmentation for the timber rattlesnake. The analysis prioritizes parcels for potential acquisition or conservation easements to improve connectivity, while identifying road segments where wildlife crossing structures or other mitigation strategies could reduce road mortality and enhance metapopulation connectivity. This framework provides a tool for conservation planning for timber rattlesnakes and other species across New York and may assist state agencies in restoring wildlife corridors and improving long-term species viability.

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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