East Open Unit

Ecosystem Overview

The East Open Unit ecosystem supports 69 documented wildlife species across 66 taxonomic genera. Located in Cass County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 14 frequently observed species and 13 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Cass County nearby has 9% more documented species, East Open Unit offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 100 Cass County County natural areas, placing it in the 95th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common21 species

Occasional21 species

Rare13 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 100 locations

95th percentile for diversity

vs. Cass County

-9% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 69 total documented species.

Rhus copallina

Black Sumac

Very Common3 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Silkweed

Very Common2.48 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Very Common2 obs.

Verrucosa arenata

Orb Weavers

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Very Common1.84 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common1.84 obs.

Celithemis eponina

Halloween Pennant

Common1.84 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Common1.84 obs.

Phanogomphus militaris

Sulphur-Tipped Clubtail

Common1.84 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Green Clearwing

Common1.84 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Beebalm

Common1.49 obs.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Ragweed

Occasional1.27 obs.

Celastrus scandens

Waxwork

Occasional1.25 obs.

Strigoderma arbicola

Occasional1.08 obs.

Impatiens capensis

Snapweed

Occasional1.07 obs.

Aplectrum hyemale

Puttyroot

Occasional1 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Occasional1 obs.

Leucauge venusta

Orchard Orbweaver

Rare1 obs.

Trachelipus rathkii

Isopod

Rare1 obs.

Lonicera maackii

Amur Honeysuckle

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+68%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cass County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Cass County

Importance: 0.80

76 species

-9% vs. current

Controlled Unit

Importance: 0.70

78 species

-12% vs. current

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish And Wildlife Area

in Chandler

Importance: 0.70

75 species

-8% vs. current

Quail Unit

Importance: 0.70

74 species

-7% vs. current

Chandlerville

Importance: 0.70

15 species

+360% vs. current

Virginia

Importance: 0.70

7 species

+886% vs. current

Ashland

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+3350% vs. current

Beardstown

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+3350% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Cass County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+68%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Cass County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Cass County

Importance: 0.80

76 species

-9% vs. current

Controlled Unit

Importance: 0.70

78 species

-12% vs. current

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish And Wildlife Area

in Chandler

Importance: 0.70

75 species

-8% vs. current

Quail Unit

Importance: 0.70

74 species

-7% vs. current

Chandlerville

Importance: 0.70

15 species

+360% vs. current

Virginia

Importance: 0.70

7 species

+886% vs. current

Ashland

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+3350% vs. current

Beardstown

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+3350% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 69 total documented species.

Rhus copallina

Black Sumac

Very Common3 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Silkweed

Very Common2.48 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Very Common2 obs.

Verrucosa arenata

Orb Weavers

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Very Common1.84 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common1.84 obs.

Celithemis eponina

Halloween Pennant

Common1.84 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Common1.84 obs.

Phanogomphus militaris

Sulphur-Tipped Clubtail

Common1.84 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Green Clearwing

Common1.84 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Beebalm

Common1.49 obs.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Ragweed

Occasional1.27 obs.

Celastrus scandens

Waxwork

Occasional1.25 obs.

Strigoderma arbicola

Occasional1.08 obs.

Impatiens capensis

Snapweed

Occasional1.07 obs.

Aplectrum hyemale

Puttyroot

Occasional1 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Occasional1 obs.

Leucauge venusta

Orchard Orbweaver

Rare1 obs.

Trachelipus rathkii

Isopod

Rare1 obs.

Lonicera maackii

Amur Honeysuckle

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 69 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common21 species

Occasional21 species

Rare13 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 100 locations

95th percentile for diversity

vs. Cass County

-9% species diversity