Carter Caves State Resort Park

Ecosystem Overview

The Carter Caves State Resort Park ecosystem supports 78 documented wildlife species across 76 taxonomic genera. Located in Carter County, Kentucky, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 16 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Carter County, Carter Caves State Resort Park hosts 5% more species diversity. This location ranks #82 for species diversity among 100 Carter County County natural areas, placing it in the 18th 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

#82

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#82 of 100 locations

18th percentile for diversity

vs. Carter County

+5% 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 78 total documented species.

Magnolia tripetala

Umbrella Magnolia

Very Common6 obs.

Sedum ternatum

Wild Stonecrop

Very Common4.54 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Betony

Very Common4 obs.

Adiantum pedatum

Maidenfern

Very Common3.54 obs.

Viola rostrata

Longspur Violet

Very Common3 obs.

Erigeron pulchellus

Hairy Fleabane

Common2 obs.

Phlox divaricata

Blue Phlox

Common2 obs.

Conopholis americana

Squawroot

Common2 obs.

Cardamine concatenata

Toothcup

Common2 obs.

Asplenium rhizophyllum

Walking Fern

Common2 obs.

Ischnoderma resinosum

Resinous Polypore

Common2 obs.

Houstonia caerulea

Bluets

Occasional2 obs.

Conocephalum salebrosum

Snakewort

Occasional2 obs.

Phyllocnistis insignis

Occasional2 obs.

Verbesina alternifolia

Wingstem

Occasional2 obs.

Salvia lyrata

Cancerweed

Occasional2 obs.

Claytonia virginica

Purslane

Occasional2 obs.

Arisaema triphyllum

Indian Turnip

Rare2 obs.

Meehania cordata

Rare1.95 obs.

Thuidium delicatulum

Delicate Fern Moss

Rare1.65 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+30%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Carter County County, Kentucky

Nearby Natural Areas

Carter County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

+5% vs. current

Olive Hill

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+42% vs. current

Grayson

Importance: 0.70

30 species

+160% vs. current

Tygarts State Forest

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-2% vs. current

Grayson Lake State Park

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-2% vs. current

Grayson Game Refuge Area

Importance: 0.60

72 species

+8% vs. current

Grayson

Importance: 0.60

9 species

+767% vs. current

Carter Caves Campground

Importance: 0.50

80 species

-2% 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 Carter 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

+30%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Carter County County, Kentucky

Nearby Natural Areas

Carter County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

+5% vs. current

Olive Hill

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+42% vs. current

Grayson

Importance: 0.70

30 species

+160% vs. current

Tygarts State Forest

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-2% vs. current

Grayson Lake State Park

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-2% vs. current

Grayson Game Refuge Area

Importance: 0.60

72 species

+8% vs. current

Grayson

Importance: 0.60

9 species

+767% vs. current

Carter Caves Campground

Importance: 0.50

80 species

-2% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 78 total documented species.

Magnolia tripetala

Umbrella Magnolia

Very Common6 obs.

Sedum ternatum

Wild Stonecrop

Very Common4.54 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Betony

Very Common4 obs.

Adiantum pedatum

Maidenfern

Very Common3.54 obs.

Viola rostrata

Longspur Violet

Very Common3 obs.

Erigeron pulchellus

Hairy Fleabane

Common2 obs.

Phlox divaricata

Blue Phlox

Common2 obs.

Conopholis americana

Squawroot

Common2 obs.

Cardamine concatenata

Toothcup

Common2 obs.

Asplenium rhizophyllum

Walking Fern

Common2 obs.

Ischnoderma resinosum

Resinous Polypore

Common2 obs.

Houstonia caerulea

Bluets

Occasional2 obs.

Conocephalum salebrosum

Snakewort

Occasional2 obs.

Phyllocnistis insignis

Occasional2 obs.

Verbesina alternifolia

Wingstem

Occasional2 obs.

Salvia lyrata

Cancerweed

Occasional2 obs.

Claytonia virginica

Purslane

Occasional2 obs.

Arisaema triphyllum

Indian Turnip

Rare2 obs.

Meehania cordata

Rare1.95 obs.

Thuidium delicatulum

Delicate Fern Moss

Rare1.65 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 78 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.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#82

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#82 of 100 locations

18th percentile for diversity

vs. Carter County

+5% species diversity