West Des Moines

Ecosystem Overview

The West Des Moines ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 99 taxonomic genera. Located in Iowa, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 223 Iowa natural areas, placing it in the 98th 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 223 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 223 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Iowa

0% 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.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common27 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Very Common7 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Very Common6 obs.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Very Common6 obs.

Conium maculatum

hemlock

Very Common5 obs.

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Sleepingplant

Common5 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Common5 obs.

Impatiens pallida

Jewelweed

Common4 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common3 obs.

Phyla lanceolata

marsh frogfruit

Common3 obs.

Daucus carota

wild carrot

Occasional3 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional3 obs.

Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Occasional2 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional2 obs.

Didelphis virginiana

Virginia-Opossum

Occasional2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Occasional2 obs.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill sunfish

Rare2 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Rare2 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+27%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Iowa

Nearby Natural Areas

Iowa

Importance: 0.72

100 species

0% vs. current

Des Moines

Importance: 0.54

90 species

+11% vs. current

Cedar Rapids

Importance: 0.49

100 species

0% vs. current

Dubuque

Importance: 0.49

40 species

+150% vs. current

Iowa City

Importance: 0.49

100 species

0% vs. current

Ames

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Council Bluffs

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Waterloo

Importance: 0.45

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 Iowa.

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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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+27%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Iowa

Nearby Natural Areas

Iowa

Importance: 0.72

100 species

0% vs. current

Des Moines

Importance: 0.54

90 species

+11% vs. current

Cedar Rapids

Importance: 0.49

100 species

0% vs. current

Dubuque

Importance: 0.49

40 species

+150% vs. current

Iowa City

Importance: 0.49

100 species

0% vs. current

Ames

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Council Bluffs

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Waterloo

Importance: 0.45

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 223 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 223 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Iowa

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common27 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Very Common7 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Very Common6 obs.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Very Common6 obs.

Conium maculatum

hemlock

Very Common5 obs.

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Sleepingplant

Common5 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Common5 obs.

Impatiens pallida

Jewelweed

Common4 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common3 obs.

Phyla lanceolata

marsh frogfruit

Common3 obs.

Daucus carota

wild carrot

Occasional3 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional3 obs.

Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Occasional2 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional2 obs.

Didelphis virginiana

Virginia-Opossum

Occasional2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Occasional2 obs.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill sunfish

Rare2 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Rare2 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

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.