North Chicago

Ecosystem Overview

The North Chicago ecosystem supports 10 documented wildlife species across 9 taxonomic genera. Located in Lake County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 3 frequently observed species and 1 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Waukegan nearby has 90% more documented species, North Chicago offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #13 for species diversity among 38 Lake County County natural areas, placing it in the 66th 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

#13

Regional Rank

Out of 38 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common3 species

Occasional3 species

Rare1 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#13 of 38 locations

66th percentile for diversity

vs. Waukegan

-90% 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 10 total documented species.

Thamnophis radix

Plains Garter Snake

Very Common1 obs.

Carex granularis

Granular Sedge

Very Common1 obs.

Hypoxis hirsuta

yellow star-grass

Very Common1 obs.

Ratibida pinnata

Gray-Head Prairie-Coneflower

Very Common1 obs.

Helianthus grosseserratus

Thick-Toothed Sunflower

Very Common1 obs.

Symphyotrichum ericoides

White-Wreath Aster

Common1 obs.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England Or Michaelmas Daisy

Common1 obs.

Sisyrinchium albidum

pale blue-eyed-grass

Common1 obs.

Solidago rigida

Stiff-Leaved Goldenrod

Common1 obs.

Silphium terebinthinaceum

dock-rosinweed

Common1 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 North Chicago. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-81%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Waukegan

Importance: 0.52

100 species

-90% vs. current

Lake County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-90% vs. current

Gurnee

Importance: 0.49

5 species

+100% vs. current

Mundelein

Importance: 0.49

25 species

-60% vs. current

Lake Forest

Importance: 0.41

75 species

-87% vs. current

Libertyville

Importance: 0.37

13 species

-23% vs. current

Zion

Importance: 0.36

91 species

-89% vs. current

Grayslake

Importance: 0.36

7 species

+43% 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 Lake 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

-81%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Waukegan

Importance: 0.52

100 species

-90% vs. current

Lake County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-90% vs. current

Gurnee

Importance: 0.49

5 species

+100% vs. current

Mundelein

Importance: 0.49

25 species

-60% vs. current

Lake Forest

Importance: 0.41

75 species

-87% vs. current

Libertyville

Importance: 0.37

13 species

-23% vs. current

Zion

Importance: 0.36

91 species

-89% vs. current

Grayslake

Importance: 0.36

7 species

+43% 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

#13

Regional Rank

Out of 38 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common3 species

Occasional3 species

Rare1 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#13 of 38 locations

66th percentile for diversity

vs. Waukegan

-90% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 10 total documented species.

Thamnophis radix

Plains Garter Snake

Very Common1 obs.

Carex granularis

Granular Sedge

Very Common1 obs.

Hypoxis hirsuta

yellow star-grass

Very Common1 obs.

Ratibida pinnata

Gray-Head Prairie-Coneflower

Very Common1 obs.

Helianthus grosseserratus

Thick-Toothed Sunflower

Very Common1 obs.

Symphyotrichum ericoides

White-Wreath Aster

Common1 obs.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England Or Michaelmas Daisy

Common1 obs.

Sisyrinchium albidum

pale blue-eyed-grass

Common1 obs.

Solidago rigida

Stiff-Leaved Goldenrod

Common1 obs.

Silphium terebinthinaceum

dock-rosinweed

Common1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 10 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.