Crystal Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Crystal Lake ecosystem supports 50 documented wildlife species across 47 taxonomic genera. Located in McHenry County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 11 frequently observed species and 9 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While McHenry County nearby has 50% more documented species, Crystal Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 11 McHenry County County natural areas, placing it in the 64th 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

Regional Rank

Out of 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 11 locations

64th percentile for diversity

vs. McHenry County

-50% 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 50 total documented species.

Magicicada septendecim

Decim Periodical Cicada

Very Common3 obs.

Trichopoda pennipes

Swift Feather-Legged Fly

Very Common1 obs.

Viburnum lantana

wayfaring tree

Very Common1 obs.

Sehirus cinctus

Very Common1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Very Common1 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Common1 obs.

Icterus galbula

baltimore oriole

Common1 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Poa pratensis

smooth meadow-grass

Common1 obs.

Cyperus squarrosus

bearded flat sedge

Common1 obs.

Dioscorea villosa

Yam Root

Occasional1 obs.

Commelina communis

Asiatic dayflower

Occasional1 obs.

Maianthemum racemosum

Feathery False Solomon'S-Seal

Occasional1 obs.

Clastoptera obtusa

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena bracteata

Prostrate Verbena

Occasional1 obs.

Glechoma hederacea

ground ivy

Rare1 obs.

Physostegia virginiana

obedient plant

Rare1 obs.

Cicindela sexguttata

Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Rare1 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 Crystal Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+72%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in McHenry County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

McHenry County

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-50% vs. current

Woodstock

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+900% vs. current

Lake Atwood

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+56% vs. current

Lake Defiance

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+285% vs. current

McHenry

Importance: 0.34

4 species

+1150% vs. current

Cary

Importance: 0.33

22 species

+127% vs. current

Lake In The Hills

Importance: 0.32

50 species

0% vs. current

Johnsburg

Importance: 0.32

5 species

+900% 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 McHenry 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

+72%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in McHenry County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

McHenry County

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-50% vs. current

Woodstock

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+900% vs. current

Lake Atwood

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+56% vs. current

Lake Defiance

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+285% vs. current

McHenry

Importance: 0.34

4 species

+1150% vs. current

Cary

Importance: 0.33

22 species

+127% vs. current

Lake In The Hills

Importance: 0.32

50 species

0% vs. current

Johnsburg

Importance: 0.32

5 species

+900% 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

Regional Rank

Out of 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 11 locations

64th percentile for diversity

vs. McHenry County

-50% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 50 total documented species.

Magicicada septendecim

Decim Periodical Cicada

Very Common3 obs.

Trichopoda pennipes

Swift Feather-Legged Fly

Very Common1 obs.

Viburnum lantana

wayfaring tree

Very Common1 obs.

Sehirus cinctus

Very Common1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Very Common1 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Common1 obs.

Icterus galbula

baltimore oriole

Common1 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Poa pratensis

smooth meadow-grass

Common1 obs.

Cyperus squarrosus

bearded flat sedge

Common1 obs.

Dioscorea villosa

Yam Root

Occasional1 obs.

Commelina communis

Asiatic dayflower

Occasional1 obs.

Maianthemum racemosum

Feathery False Solomon'S-Seal

Occasional1 obs.

Clastoptera obtusa

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Occasional1 obs.

Verbena bracteata

Prostrate Verbena

Occasional1 obs.

Glechoma hederacea

ground ivy

Rare1 obs.

Physostegia virginiana

obedient plant

Rare1 obs.

Cicindela sexguttata

Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 50 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.