San Marcos

Ecosystem Overview

The San Marcos ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 89 taxonomic genera. Located in San Diego 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. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 89 San Diego County County natural areas, placing it in the 96th 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 89 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 89 locations

96th percentile for diversity

vs. San Diego

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.

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon

Very Common6 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Very Common6 obs.

Malosma laurina

Very Common5 obs.

Artemisia californica

California sagebrush

Very Common5 obs.

Ceanothus verrucosus

Very Common5 obs.

Eriogonum fasciculatum

wild buckwheat

Common4 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Common4 obs.

Salvia mellifera

black sage

Common4 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common4 obs.

Marah macrocarpa

large-fruited manroot

Common4 obs.

Baccharis salicifolia

sticky baccharis

Common4 obs.

Encelia californica

Occasional4 obs.

Selaginella cinerascens

Occasional3 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Occasional3 obs.

Hazardia squarrosa

saw-tooth goldenbush

Occasional3 obs.

Brickellia californica

California brickellbush

Occasional3 obs.

Scrophularia californica

California figwort

Occasional3 obs.

Pseudognaphalium biolettii

Rare3 obs.

Quercus agrifolia

Coast Live Oak

Rare3 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Rare3 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 San Marcos. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Diego County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Diego

Importance: 0.63

100 species

0% vs. current

San Diego County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Carlsbad

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Oceanside

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Escondido

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Chula Vista

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Coronado

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Poway

Importance: 0.41

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 San Diego 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

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Diego County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Diego

Importance: 0.63

100 species

0% vs. current

San Diego County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Carlsbad

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Oceanside

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Escondido

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Chula Vista

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Coronado

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Poway

Importance: 0.41

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 89 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 89 locations

96th percentile for diversity

vs. San Diego

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon

Very Common6 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Very Common6 obs.

Malosma laurina

Very Common5 obs.

Artemisia californica

California sagebrush

Very Common5 obs.

Ceanothus verrucosus

Very Common5 obs.

Eriogonum fasciculatum

wild buckwheat

Common4 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Common4 obs.

Salvia mellifera

black sage

Common4 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common4 obs.

Marah macrocarpa

large-fruited manroot

Common4 obs.

Baccharis salicifolia

sticky baccharis

Common4 obs.

Encelia californica

Occasional4 obs.

Selaginella cinerascens

Occasional3 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Occasional3 obs.

Hazardia squarrosa

saw-tooth goldenbush

Occasional3 obs.

Brickellia californica

California brickellbush

Occasional3 obs.

Scrophularia californica

California figwort

Occasional3 obs.

Pseudognaphalium biolettii

Rare3 obs.

Quercus agrifolia

Coast Live Oak

Rare3 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Rare3 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.