Alton

Ecosystem Overview

The Alton ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in Madison County, Illinois, 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 Edwardsville, Alton hosts 89% more species diversity. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 16 Madison County County natural areas, placing it in the 81th 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 16 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 16 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Edwardsville

+89% 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.

Salticus scenicus

Zebra Jumper

Very Common3 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Very Common3 obs.

Cisseps fulvicollis

Yellow-Collared Scape Moth

Very Common2 obs.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England Or Michaelmas Daisy

Very Common2 obs.

Popillia japonica

Japanese Beetle

Very Common2 obs.

Papilio glaucus

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Common2 obs.

Stagmomantis carolina

Common2 obs.

Phidippus audax

Bold Jumper

Common2 obs.

Cochliomyia macellaria

secondary screwworm

Common2 obs.

Vanessa cardui

painted lady

Common2 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Common2 obs.

Conocephalus fasciatus

Slender Meadow Katydid

Occasional2 obs.

Junonia coenia

Northern Buckeye

Occasional2 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional2 obs.

Ratibida pinnata

Gray-Head Prairie-Coneflower

Occasional2 obs.

Eurema lisa

Little Yellow

Occasional2 obs.

Silphium integrifolium

whole-leaved rosinweed

Occasional2 obs.

Naupactus leucoloma

Whitefringed beetle

Rare1 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Rare1 obs.

Sandalus niger

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+108%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Madison County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Edwardsville

Importance: 0.50

53 species

+89% vs. current

Madison County

Importance: 0.49

100 species

0% vs. current

Wood River

Importance: 0.37

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Bethalto

Importance: 0.37

85 species

+18% vs. current

Godfrey

Importance: 0.37

39 species

+156% vs. current

Glen Carbon

Importance: 0.37

10 species

+900% vs. current

Highland

Importance: 0.36

88 species

+14% vs. current

Troy

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 Madison 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

100

Species Count

+108%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Madison County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Edwardsville

Importance: 0.50

53 species

+89% vs. current

Madison County

Importance: 0.49

100 species

0% vs. current

Wood River

Importance: 0.37

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Bethalto

Importance: 0.37

85 species

+18% vs. current

Godfrey

Importance: 0.37

39 species

+156% vs. current

Glen Carbon

Importance: 0.37

10 species

+900% vs. current

Highland

Importance: 0.36

88 species

+14% vs. current

Troy

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 16 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 16 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Edwardsville

+89% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Salticus scenicus

Zebra Jumper

Very Common3 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Very Common3 obs.

Cisseps fulvicollis

Yellow-Collared Scape Moth

Very Common2 obs.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England Or Michaelmas Daisy

Very Common2 obs.

Popillia japonica

Japanese Beetle

Very Common2 obs.

Papilio glaucus

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Common2 obs.

Stagmomantis carolina

Common2 obs.

Phidippus audax

Bold Jumper

Common2 obs.

Cochliomyia macellaria

secondary screwworm

Common2 obs.

Vanessa cardui

painted lady

Common2 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Common2 obs.

Conocephalus fasciatus

Slender Meadow Katydid

Occasional2 obs.

Junonia coenia

Northern Buckeye

Occasional2 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional2 obs.

Ratibida pinnata

Gray-Head Prairie-Coneflower

Occasional2 obs.

Eurema lisa

Little Yellow

Occasional2 obs.

Silphium integrifolium

whole-leaved rosinweed

Occasional2 obs.

Naupactus leucoloma

Whitefringed beetle

Rare1 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Rare1 obs.

Sandalus niger

Rare1 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.