Determining habitat association from quantitative habitat mosaic area gradients, species abundances, and seasonal activity variation, in a wetland snake assemblage

Habitat loss and fragmentation are considered one of the leading threats to biodiversity. The Manchac land bridge, located in southeastern Louisiana is a highly fragmented ecosystem, which is home to a 13-species snake assemblage. Understating the ecology of these species is critical to ensure their survival with further fragmentation. The first part of this study set out to determine habitat associations among all species in this assemblage and determine which species were more at risk of population declines with further fragmentation. The second part of this study documented seasonal activity variation of all 13 species, and how they were affected by environmental variables such as temperature, precipitation and water stage level. Results from these studies will shed light on the ecologies of these snake species, which is crucial in trying to prevent future declines due to human induced habitat loss and fragmentation.;Key words: snake ecology, habitat fragmentation, habitat association, seasonal activity...