Highlands County

Ecosystem Overview

The Highlands County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 86 taxonomic genera. Located in Highlands County, Florida, 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 Sebring, Highlands County hosts 270% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 5 Highlands County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th 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 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 5 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Sebring

+270% 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.

Ardisia escallonioides

island marlberry

Very Common28 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common24 obs.

Aphelocoma coerulescens

Florida Scrub-Jay

Very Common23 obs.

Lygodium microphyllum

Small-leaf climbing fern

Very Common21 obs.

Telmatoblechnum serrulatum

Very Common21 obs.

Ardisia crenata

Hen's eyes

Common20 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Mayan Coastal Anole [Mayensis]

Common20 obs.

Urena lobata

Caesarweed

Common19 obs.

Liquidambar styraciflua

satin-walnut

Common18 obs.

Hyla femoralis

Common16 obs.

Cnidoscolus stimulosus

bull-nettle

Common16 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Occasional16 obs.

Lyonia fruticosa

Occasional15 obs.

Quercus geminata

Sand Live Oak

Occasional15 obs.

Quercus inopina

Sandhill Oak

Occasional14 obs.

Herpothallon rubrocinctum

Occasional14 obs.

Erythrina herbacea

Coral Bean

Occasional14 obs.

Lyonia ferruginea

dragonwood

Rare14 obs.

Ximenia americana

yellow-plum

Rare13 obs.

Tillandsia setacea

Rare13 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Highlands County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+733%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in Highlands County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Sebring

Importance: 0.39

27 species

+270% vs. current

Lake Annie

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Avon Park

Importance: 0.33

11 species

+809% vs. current

Lake Placid

Importance: 0.29

7 species

+1329% 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 Highlands 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

+733%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in Highlands County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Sebring

Importance: 0.39

27 species

+270% vs. current

Lake Annie

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Avon Park

Importance: 0.33

11 species

+809% vs. current

Lake Placid

Importance: 0.29

7 species

+1329% 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 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 5 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Sebring

+270% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Ardisia escallonioides

island marlberry

Very Common28 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common24 obs.

Aphelocoma coerulescens

Florida Scrub-Jay

Very Common23 obs.

Lygodium microphyllum

Small-leaf climbing fern

Very Common21 obs.

Telmatoblechnum serrulatum

Very Common21 obs.

Ardisia crenata

Hen's eyes

Common20 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Mayan Coastal Anole [Mayensis]

Common20 obs.

Urena lobata

Caesarweed

Common19 obs.

Liquidambar styraciflua

satin-walnut

Common18 obs.

Hyla femoralis

Common16 obs.

Cnidoscolus stimulosus

bull-nettle

Common16 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Occasional16 obs.

Lyonia fruticosa

Occasional15 obs.

Quercus geminata

Sand Live Oak

Occasional15 obs.

Quercus inopina

Sandhill Oak

Occasional14 obs.

Herpothallon rubrocinctum

Occasional14 obs.

Erythrina herbacea

Coral Bean

Occasional14 obs.

Lyonia ferruginea

dragonwood

Rare14 obs.

Ximenia americana

yellow-plum

Rare13 obs.

Tillandsia setacea

Rare13 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.