Great Salt Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Great Salt Lake ecosystem supports 86 documented wildlife species across 71 taxonomic genera. Located in Utah, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 18 frequently observed species and 17 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Utah nearby has 14% more documented species, Great Salt Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #48 for species diversity among 234 Utah natural areas, placing it in the 79th 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

#48

Regional Rank

Out of 234 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species

Common26 species

Occasional25 species

Rare17 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#48 of 234 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Utah

-14% 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 86 total documented species.

Recurvirostra americana

American avocet

Very Common27 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common22 obs.

Anas crecca

teal, common teal

Very Common16 obs.

Larus californicus

California Gull

Very Common13 obs.

Himantopus mexicanus

Black-necked Stilt

Very Common12 obs.

Larus fuscus

lesser black-backed gull

Common11 obs.

Phalaropus tricolor

wilson’s phalarope

Common10 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common9 obs.

Leucophaeus pipixcan

Franklin's Gull

Common8 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common8 obs.

Neoscona oaxacensis

Western spotted orbweaver

Common7 obs.

Phalaropus lobatus

red-necked phalarope

Occasional7 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Occasional7 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Occasional5 obs.

Tringa flavipes

lesser yellowlegs

Occasional5 obs.

Plegadis chihi

White-faced Ibis

Occasional5 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional4 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Rare3 obs.

Ephydra gracilis

Rare3 obs.

Cicindela willistoni

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 Great Salt Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+15%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Utah

Nearby Natural Areas

Utah

Importance: 0.71

100 species

-14% vs. current

Salt Lake City

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-14% vs. current

Scofield Reservoir

Importance: 0.57

1 species

+8500% vs. current

Provo

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-14% vs. current

Ogden

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-14% vs. current

Logan

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-14% vs. current

Orem

Importance: 0.44

51 species

+69% vs. current

Park City

Importance: 0.43

50 species

+72% 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 Utah.

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

+15%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Utah

Nearby Natural Areas

Utah

Importance: 0.71

100 species

-14% vs. current

Salt Lake City

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-14% vs. current

Scofield Reservoir

Importance: 0.57

1 species

+8500% vs. current

Provo

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-14% vs. current

Ogden

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-14% vs. current

Logan

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-14% vs. current

Orem

Importance: 0.44

51 species

+69% vs. current

Park City

Importance: 0.43

50 species

+72% 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

#48

Regional Rank

Out of 234 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species

Common26 species

Occasional25 species

Rare17 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#48 of 234 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Utah

-14% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 86 total documented species.

Recurvirostra americana

American avocet

Very Common27 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Very Common22 obs.

Anas crecca

teal, common teal

Very Common16 obs.

Larus californicus

California Gull

Very Common13 obs.

Himantopus mexicanus

Black-necked Stilt

Very Common12 obs.

Larus fuscus

lesser black-backed gull

Common11 obs.

Phalaropus tricolor

wilson’s phalarope

Common10 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common9 obs.

Leucophaeus pipixcan

Franklin's Gull

Common8 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common8 obs.

Neoscona oaxacensis

Western spotted orbweaver

Common7 obs.

Phalaropus lobatus

red-necked phalarope

Occasional7 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Occasional7 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Occasional5 obs.

Tringa flavipes

lesser yellowlegs

Occasional5 obs.

Plegadis chihi

White-faced Ibis

Occasional5 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional4 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Rare3 obs.

Ephydra gracilis

Rare3 obs.

Cicindela willistoni

Rare3 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 86 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.