Ketchikan

Ecosystem Overview

The Ketchikan ecosystem supports 71 documented wildlife species across 67 taxonomic genera. Located in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 15 frequently observed species and 14 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Ketchikan Gateway Borough nearby has 8% more documented species, Ketchikan offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #23 for species diversity among 100 Ketchikan Gateway Borough County natural areas, placing it in the 77th 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

#23

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common21 species

Occasional21 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#23 of 100 locations

77th percentile for diversity

vs. Ketchikan Gateway Borough

-8% 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 71 total documented species.

Megaptera novaeangliae

Hump

Very Common67.59 obs.

Rubus spectabilis

Salmonberry

Very Common14.23 obs.

Lysichiton americanus

Skunk Cabbage

Very Common7.34 obs.

Cyanea ferruginea

Very Common7 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

Ochre Stars

Very Common6.02 obs.

Orgyia antiqua

Moth

Common5.35 obs.

Ariolimax columbianus

Pacific Banana Slug

Common3.91 obs.

Cornus canadensis

Bunchberry

Common3.42 obs.

Tsuga heterophylla

Pacific Hemlock

Common3.28 obs.

Vaccinium parvifolium

Red Bilberry

Common3.23 obs.

Pilosella aurantiaca

King Devil

Common3.04 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Occasional3 obs.

Oplopanax horridus

Devil'S Club

Occasional3 obs.

Polystichum munitum

Western Sword-Fern

Occasional3 obs.

Rubus parviflorus

Occasional3 obs.

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Pink Salmon

Occasional3 obs.

Picea sitchensis

Sitka Spruce

Occasional2.74 obs.

Gaultheria shallon

Shallon

Rare2.6 obs.

Maianthemum dilatatum

May-Lily

Rare2.59 obs.

Orcinus orca

Orca

Rare2.4 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+15%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ketchikan Gateway Borough County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Importance: 0.80

77 species

-8% vs. current

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Importance: 0.70

79 species

-10% vs. current

Ketchikan

Importance: 0.70

58 species

+22% vs. current

Saxman

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+29% vs. current

Ketchikan International Airport

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.60

63 species

+13% vs. current

Ward Lake Recreation Area

Importance: 0.60

51 species

+39% vs. current

U. S. Coast Guard - Base Ketchikan

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.50

58 species

+22% vs. current

Peninsula Point

Importance: 0.50

56 species

+27% 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough 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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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 71 total documented species.

Megaptera novaeangliae

Hump

Very Common67.59 obs.

Rubus spectabilis

Salmonberry

Very Common14.23 obs.

Lysichiton americanus

Skunk Cabbage

Very Common7.34 obs.

Cyanea ferruginea

Very Common7 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

Ochre Stars

Very Common6.02 obs.

Orgyia antiqua

Moth

Common5.35 obs.

Ariolimax columbianus

Pacific Banana Slug

Common3.91 obs.

Cornus canadensis

Bunchberry

Common3.42 obs.

Tsuga heterophylla

Pacific Hemlock

Common3.28 obs.

Vaccinium parvifolium

Red Bilberry

Common3.23 obs.

Pilosella aurantiaca

King Devil

Common3.04 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Occasional3 obs.

Oplopanax horridus

Devil'S Club

Occasional3 obs.

Polystichum munitum

Western Sword-Fern

Occasional3 obs.

Rubus parviflorus

Occasional3 obs.

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Pink Salmon

Occasional3 obs.

Picea sitchensis

Sitka Spruce

Occasional2.74 obs.

Gaultheria shallon

Shallon

Rare2.6 obs.

Maianthemum dilatatum

May-Lily

Rare2.59 obs.

Orcinus orca

Orca

Rare2.4 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 71 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.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+15%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ketchikan Gateway Borough County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Importance: 0.80

77 species

-8% vs. current

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Importance: 0.70

79 species

-10% vs. current

Ketchikan

Importance: 0.70

58 species

+22% vs. current

Saxman

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+29% vs. current

Ketchikan International Airport

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.60

63 species

+13% vs. current

Ward Lake Recreation Area

Importance: 0.60

51 species

+39% vs. current

U. S. Coast Guard - Base Ketchikan

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.50

58 species

+22% vs. current

Peninsula Point

Importance: 0.50

56 species

+27% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#23

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common21 species

Occasional21 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#23 of 100 locations

77th percentile for diversity

vs. Ketchikan Gateway Borough

-8% species diversity