Gary

Ecosystem Overview

The Gary ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 85 taxonomic genera. Located in Lake County, Indiana, 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 Hammond, Gary hosts 3% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 10 Lake 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Hammond

+3% 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.

Lupinus perennis

Blue-Bean

Very Common6 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony

Very Common4 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Very Common4 obs.

Castilleja coccinea

Scarlet Paintbrush

Very Common3 obs.

Rhus aromatica

Squawbush

Very Common3 obs.

Rosa carolina

Carolina Rose

Common2 obs.

Lamium purpureum

Purple deadnettle

Common2 obs.

Hesperostipa spartea

porcupine bunchgrass

Common2 obs.

Nymphaea odorata

American white waterlily

Common2 obs.

Hypericum kalmianum

Kalm's St. John's-wort

Common2 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Common2 obs.

Phlox pilosa

prairie phlox

Occasional2 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Occasional2 obs.

Parnassia glauca

Glaucous Grass-Of-Parnassus

Occasional2 obs.

Aralia nudicaulis

Shotbush

Occasional2 obs.

Aquilegia canadensis

Colorado Columbine

Occasional2 obs.

Maianthemum racemosum

Feathery False Solomon'S-Seal

Occasional2 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Rare2 obs.

Lilium philadelphicum

Red Wood Lily

Rare2 obs.

Botryosphaeria dothidea

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+223%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Indiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Hammond

Importance: 0.47

97 species

+3% vs. current

Lake County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

East Chicago

Importance: 0.42

21 species

+376% vs. current

Crown Point

Importance: 0.41

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Schererville

Importance: 0.40

19 species

+426% vs. current

Highland

Importance: 0.39

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Cedar Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Whiting

Importance: 0.34

2 species

+4900% 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

100

Species Count

+223%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Indiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Hammond

Importance: 0.47

97 species

+3% vs. current

Lake County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

East Chicago

Importance: 0.42

21 species

+376% vs. current

Crown Point

Importance: 0.41

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Schererville

Importance: 0.40

19 species

+426% vs. current

Highland

Importance: 0.39

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Cedar Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Whiting

Importance: 0.34

2 species

+4900% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Hammond

+3% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Lupinus perennis

Blue-Bean

Very Common6 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony

Very Common4 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Very Common4 obs.

Castilleja coccinea

Scarlet Paintbrush

Very Common3 obs.

Rhus aromatica

Squawbush

Very Common3 obs.

Rosa carolina

Carolina Rose

Common2 obs.

Lamium purpureum

Purple deadnettle

Common2 obs.

Hesperostipa spartea

porcupine bunchgrass

Common2 obs.

Nymphaea odorata

American white waterlily

Common2 obs.

Hypericum kalmianum

Kalm's St. John's-wort

Common2 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Common2 obs.

Phlox pilosa

prairie phlox

Occasional2 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Occasional2 obs.

Parnassia glauca

Glaucous Grass-Of-Parnassus

Occasional2 obs.

Aralia nudicaulis

Shotbush

Occasional2 obs.

Aquilegia canadensis

Colorado Columbine

Occasional2 obs.

Maianthemum racemosum

Feathery False Solomon'S-Seal

Occasional2 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Rare2 obs.

Lilium philadelphicum

Red Wood Lily

Rare2 obs.

Botryosphaeria dothidea

Rare2 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.