Salinas

Ecosystem Overview

The Salinas ecosystem supports 37 documented wildlife species across 35 taxonomic genera. Located in Monterey County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 7 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Monterey nearby has 63% more documented species, Salinas offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #11 for species diversity among 24 Monterey County County natural areas, placing it in the 54th 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

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 24 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common11 species

Occasional11 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 24 locations

54th percentile for diversity

vs. Monterey

-63% 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 37 total documented species.

Pieris rapae

small white

Very Common2 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Very Common2 obs.

Vanessa annabella

West Coast Lady

Very Common2 obs.

Polistes dominula

Paper Wasp

Very Common2 obs.

Linepithema humile

Argentine ant

Very Common1 obs.

Eristalis arbustorum

Hover Fly

Common1 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Common1 obs.

Steatoda nobilis

Common1 obs.

Gambusia affinis

Mosquito fish

Common1 obs.

Pimephales promelas

fathead minnow

Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Larus californicus

California Gull

Occasional1 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Occasional1 obs.

Conocybe apala

Milky Conecap

Occasional1 obs.

Coprinellus micaceus

Glistening Inkcap

Occasional1 obs.

Ganoderma brownii

Occasional1 obs.

Linum grandiflorum

Flowering Flax

Occasional1 obs.

Quercus agrifolia

Coast Live Oak

Rare1 obs.

Papaver somniferum

Common Poppy

Rare1 obs.

Papaver rhoeas

corn poppy

Rare1 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 Salinas. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-52%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Monterey County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Monterey

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-63% vs. current

Monterey County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-63% vs. current

Carmel-by-the-sea

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-63% vs. current

Pacific Grove

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-63% vs. current

Seaside

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-63% vs. current

Marina

Importance: 0.36

100 species

-63% vs. current

Castroville

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1750% vs. current

El Estero Lake

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+131% 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 Monterey 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

-52%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Monterey County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Monterey

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-63% vs. current

Monterey County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-63% vs. current

Carmel-by-the-sea

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-63% vs. current

Pacific Grove

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-63% vs. current

Seaside

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-63% vs. current

Marina

Importance: 0.36

100 species

-63% vs. current

Castroville

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1750% vs. current

El Estero Lake

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+131% 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

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 24 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common11 species

Occasional11 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 24 locations

54th percentile for diversity

vs. Monterey

-63% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 37 total documented species.

Pieris rapae

small white

Very Common2 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Very Common2 obs.

Vanessa annabella

West Coast Lady

Very Common2 obs.

Polistes dominula

Paper Wasp

Very Common2 obs.

Linepithema humile

Argentine ant

Very Common1 obs.

Eristalis arbustorum

Hover Fly

Common1 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Common1 obs.

Steatoda nobilis

Common1 obs.

Gambusia affinis

Mosquito fish

Common1 obs.

Pimephales promelas

fathead minnow

Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Larus californicus

California Gull

Occasional1 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Occasional1 obs.

Conocybe apala

Milky Conecap

Occasional1 obs.

Coprinellus micaceus

Glistening Inkcap

Occasional1 obs.

Ganoderma brownii

Occasional1 obs.

Linum grandiflorum

Flowering Flax

Occasional1 obs.

Quercus agrifolia

Coast Live Oak

Rare1 obs.

Papaver somniferum

Common Poppy

Rare1 obs.

Papaver rhoeas

corn poppy

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 37 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.