Yakima County

Ecosystem Overview

The Yakima County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 85 taxonomic genera. Located in Yakima County, Washington, 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 Yakima, Yakima County hosts 39% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 8 Yakima County County natural areas, placing it in the 75th 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 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 8 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Yakima

+39% 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.

Viola trinervata

sagebrush violet

Very Common33 obs.

Eriogonum thymoides

thyme-leaf wild buckwheat

Very Common25 obs.

Penstemon gairdneri

Gairdner's penstemon

Very Common20 obs.

Balsamorhiza hookeri

Hooker's balsamroot

Very Common19 obs.

Castilleja thompsonii

Thompson's paintbrush

Very Common18 obs.

Phemeranthus spinescens

spiny fameflower

Common18 obs.

Nestotus stenophyllus

narrow-leaf mock goldenweed

Common18 obs.

Crocidium multicaule

common spring gold

Common18 obs.

Eriogonum douglasii

Common16 obs.

Antennaria dimorpha

low pussytoes

Common16 obs.

Trifolium macrocephalum

large-head clover

Common16 obs.

Olsynium douglasii

Douglas' grasswidow

Occasional15 obs.

Lewisia rediviva

bitter-root

Occasional15 obs.

Ribes aureum

Buffalo Currant

Occasional14 obs.

Quercus garryana

Oregon White Oak

Occasional14 obs.

Astragalus reventiformis

Occasional14 obs.

Fritillaria pudica

yellow-snowdrop

Occasional14 obs.

Erigeron linearis

desert yellow fleabane

Rare14 obs.

Rainiera stricta

Rare13 obs.

Opuntia columbiana

grizzly bear prickly-pear cactus

Rare12 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 Yakima County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+257%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Yakima County County, Washington

Nearby Natural Areas

Yakima

Importance: 0.47

72 species

+39% vs. current

Buck Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Leech Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Union Gap

Importance: 0.27

16 species

+525% vs. current

Terrace Heights

Importance: 0.24

100 species

0% vs. current

Wenas Lake

Importance: 0.20

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Rimrock Lake

Importance: 0.20

1 species

+9900% 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 Yakima 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

+257%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Yakima County County, Washington

Nearby Natural Areas

Yakima

Importance: 0.47

72 species

+39% vs. current

Buck Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Leech Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Union Gap

Importance: 0.27

16 species

+525% vs. current

Terrace Heights

Importance: 0.24

100 species

0% vs. current

Wenas Lake

Importance: 0.20

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Rimrock Lake

Importance: 0.20

1 species

+9900% 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 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 8 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Yakima

+39% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Viola trinervata

sagebrush violet

Very Common33 obs.

Eriogonum thymoides

thyme-leaf wild buckwheat

Very Common25 obs.

Penstemon gairdneri

Gairdner's penstemon

Very Common20 obs.

Balsamorhiza hookeri

Hooker's balsamroot

Very Common19 obs.

Castilleja thompsonii

Thompson's paintbrush

Very Common18 obs.

Phemeranthus spinescens

spiny fameflower

Common18 obs.

Nestotus stenophyllus

narrow-leaf mock goldenweed

Common18 obs.

Crocidium multicaule

common spring gold

Common18 obs.

Eriogonum douglasii

Common16 obs.

Antennaria dimorpha

low pussytoes

Common16 obs.

Trifolium macrocephalum

large-head clover

Common16 obs.

Olsynium douglasii

Douglas' grasswidow

Occasional15 obs.

Lewisia rediviva

bitter-root

Occasional15 obs.

Ribes aureum

Buffalo Currant

Occasional14 obs.

Quercus garryana

Oregon White Oak

Occasional14 obs.

Astragalus reventiformis

Occasional14 obs.

Fritillaria pudica

yellow-snowdrop

Occasional14 obs.

Erigeron linearis

desert yellow fleabane

Rare14 obs.

Rainiera stricta

Rare13 obs.

Opuntia columbiana

grizzly bear prickly-pear cactus

Rare12 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.