Elkhart

Ecosystem Overview

The Elkhart ecosystem supports 36 documented wildlife species across 34 taxonomic genera. Located in Elkhart County, Indiana, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 7 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Goshen nearby has 36% more documented species, Elkhart offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 10 Elkhart County County natural areas, placing it in the 70th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common11 species

Occasional10 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 10 locations

70th percentile for diversity

vs. Goshen

-36% 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 36 total documented species.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Very Common12 obs.

Solanum carolinense

Apple-Of-Sodom

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias verticillata

Whorled Milkweed

Very Common3 obs.

Rhus typhina

Staghorn sumac

Very Common3 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common2 obs.

Daktulosphaira vitifoliae

grape phylloxera

Common2 obs.

Persicaria pensylvanica

Pink Knotweed

Common2 obs.

Chenopodium album

lambs quarters

Common2 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Common2 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Prickly Lettuce

Common2 obs.

Eupatorium serotinum

late boneset

Occasional2 obs.

Mirabilis nyctaginea

Umbrella Wort

Occasional2 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Occasional1 obs.

Sphex pensylvanicus

Great Black Digger Wasp

Occasional1 obs.

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Occasional1 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Rare1 obs.

Cygnus olor

Mute Swan

Rare1 obs.

Echinochloa crus-galli

cockspur

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 Elkhart. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+64%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Elkhart County County, Indiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Goshen

Importance: 0.42

56 species

-36% vs. current

Elkhart County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-64% vs. current

Goshen Dam Pond

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+800% vs. current

Boot Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+3500% vs. current

Middlebury

Importance: 0.31

1 species

+3500% vs. current

Dunlap

Importance: 0.28

5 species

+620% vs. current

Shanklin Millrace

in Goshen

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+800% vs. current

Historic Southside

in Goshen

Importance: 0.20

3 species

+1100% 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 Elkhart 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

+64%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Elkhart County County, Indiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Goshen

Importance: 0.42

56 species

-36% vs. current

Elkhart County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-64% vs. current

Goshen Dam Pond

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+800% vs. current

Boot Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+3500% vs. current

Middlebury

Importance: 0.31

1 species

+3500% vs. current

Dunlap

Importance: 0.28

5 species

+620% vs. current

Shanklin Millrace

in Goshen

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+800% vs. current

Historic Southside

in Goshen

Importance: 0.20

3 species

+1100% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common11 species

Occasional10 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 10 locations

70th percentile for diversity

vs. Goshen

-36% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 36 total documented species.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Very Common12 obs.

Solanum carolinense

Apple-Of-Sodom

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias verticillata

Whorled Milkweed

Very Common3 obs.

Rhus typhina

Staghorn sumac

Very Common3 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common2 obs.

Daktulosphaira vitifoliae

grape phylloxera

Common2 obs.

Persicaria pensylvanica

Pink Knotweed

Common2 obs.

Chenopodium album

lambs quarters

Common2 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Common2 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Prickly Lettuce

Common2 obs.

Eupatorium serotinum

late boneset

Occasional2 obs.

Mirabilis nyctaginea

Umbrella Wort

Occasional2 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Occasional1 obs.

Sphex pensylvanicus

Great Black Digger Wasp

Occasional1 obs.

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Large Milkweed Bug

Occasional1 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Rare1 obs.

Cygnus olor

Mute Swan

Rare1 obs.

Echinochloa crus-galli

cockspur

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 36 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.