Gulf Shores

Ecosystem Overview

The Gulf Shores ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 91 taxonomic genera. Located in Baldwin County, Alabama, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 10 Baldwin County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Baldwin County

0% 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 100 total documented species.

Agkistrodon piscivorus

Cottonmouth

Very Common14 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Very Common9 obs.

Lanius ludovicianus

Loggerhead Shrike

Very Common8 obs.

Spiranthes vernalis

Spring Ladies'-Tresses

Very Common8 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Very Common8 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Common7 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Common7 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Common6 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Common6 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Common6 obs.

Drosera capillaris

pink sundew

Common5 obs.

Nerodia fasciata

Southern Water Snake

Occasional5 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Occasional5 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional4 obs.

Cliftonia monophylla

buckwheat-tree

Occasional4 obs.

Junonia coenia

Northern Buckeye

Occasional4 obs.

Kosteletzkya pentacarpos

seashore-mallow

Rare4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Rare4 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare4 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Gulf Shores. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+100%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Baldwin County County, Alabama

Nearby Natural Areas

Baldwin County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Fairhope

Importance: 0.35

71 species

+41% vs. current

Little Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Shelby Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Weeks Bay

Importance: 0.33

12 species

+733% vs. current

Daphne

Importance: 0.32

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange Beach

Importance: 0.31

100 species

0% 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 Baldwin 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

100

Species Count

+100%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Baldwin County County, Alabama

Nearby Natural Areas

Baldwin County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Fairhope

Importance: 0.35

71 species

+41% vs. current

Little Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Shelby Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Weeks Bay

Importance: 0.33

12 species

+733% vs. current

Daphne

Importance: 0.32

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange Beach

Importance: 0.31

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Baldwin County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Agkistrodon piscivorus

Cottonmouth

Very Common14 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Very Common9 obs.

Lanius ludovicianus

Loggerhead Shrike

Very Common8 obs.

Spiranthes vernalis

Spring Ladies'-Tresses

Very Common8 obs.

Butorides virescens

green heron

Very Common8 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Common7 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Common7 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Common6 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Common6 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Common6 obs.

Drosera capillaris

pink sundew

Common5 obs.

Nerodia fasciata

Southern Water Snake

Occasional5 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Occasional5 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional4 obs.

Cliftonia monophylla

buckwheat-tree

Occasional4 obs.

Junonia coenia

Northern Buckeye

Occasional4 obs.

Kosteletzkya pentacarpos

seashore-mallow

Rare4 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Rare4 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare4 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.