Santa Cruz

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Cruz ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 90 taxonomic genera. Located in Santa Cruz County, California, 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. Compared to nearby Schwan Lagoon, Santa Cruz hosts 400% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 15 Santa Cruz County County natural areas, placing it in the 87th 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 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 15 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Schwan Lagoon

+400% 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.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common450 obs.

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Very Common268 obs.

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Very Common213 obs.

Anthopleura xanthogrammica

giant green sea anemone

Very Common211 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Very Common146 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Common143 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common138 obs.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Common129 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Common109 obs.

Anthopleura artemisia

moonglow anemone

Common102 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common100 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional98 obs.

Tetraclita rubescens

Occasional90 obs.

Tegula funebralis

black tegula

Occasional84 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional81 obs.

Lottia gigantea

owl limpet

Occasional79 obs.

Phragmatopoma californica

Occasional77 obs.

Hiatella arctica

Wrinkled Rock Borer

Rare70 obs.

Pseudacris regilla

Pacific chorus frog

Rare66 obs.

Chondracanthus canaliculatus

Rare65 obs.

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Most Common Species

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Cruz County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Antonelli Pond

Importance: 0.35

39 species

+156% vs. current

Schwan Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+400% vs. current

Two Moon Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Moran Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Pinto Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Duck Island Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Covered Bridge Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Loch Lomond Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% 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 Santa Cruz 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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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Cruz County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Antonelli Pond

Importance: 0.35

39 species

+156% vs. current

Schwan Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+400% vs. current

Two Moon Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Moran Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Pinto Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Duck Island Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Covered Bridge Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Loch Lomond Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% 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 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 15 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Schwan Lagoon

+400% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common450 obs.

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Very Common268 obs.

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Very Common213 obs.

Anthopleura xanthogrammica

giant green sea anemone

Very Common211 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Very Common146 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Common143 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common138 obs.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Common129 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Common109 obs.

Anthopleura artemisia

moonglow anemone

Common102 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common100 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional98 obs.

Tetraclita rubescens

Occasional90 obs.

Tegula funebralis

black tegula

Occasional84 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional81 obs.

Lottia gigantea

owl limpet

Occasional79 obs.

Phragmatopoma californica

Occasional77 obs.

Hiatella arctica

Wrinkled Rock Borer

Rare70 obs.

Pseudacris regilla

Pacific chorus frog

Rare66 obs.

Chondracanthus canaliculatus

Rare65 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.