Date of Graduation

Spring 5-23-2026

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSEM)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Environmental Management

First Advisor

Allison Luengen

Abstract

California mountain lions are facing threats such as wildlife vehicle-collisions (WVC) and habitat fragmentation from roads that act as barriers to movement. Cuesta Pass in San Luis Obispo County is a stretch of Highway 101 that acts as a barrier and results in WVC for numerous species, including mountain lions. A literature review on predictors for mountain lion usage of wildlife crossings suggests crossing location as an influential variable for predicting whether a crossing will be used. A synthesis on findings from four studies found mountain lions to use underpasses, including culverts, at a combined rate of 0.72 times per crossing per month, compared to 0.18 for overpasses. Previous studies using ArcGIS have used a least cost path (LCP) analysis to combine and reclassify variables in raster format to create a path of least resistance for a target species. Two LCP scenarios demonstrate the two most conducive spatial pathways for mountain lions to move from one side of Highway 101 to the other. The intersection for where the LCP crosses Highway 101 provides the ideal location to install a wildlife crossing to facilitate successful mountain lion road crossings. A comparative analysis to the Wallis-Annenberg crossing, the largest wildlife crossing in the world provides further insight into the feasibility of constructing a project within the Cuesta Pass. Two management recommendations are given using the LCP possibilities, with a low and high-cost scenario presented.

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