Des Moines

Ecosystem Overview

The Des Moines ecosystem supports 90 documented wildlife species across 85 taxonomic genera. Located in Iowa, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 17 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Iowa nearby has 10% more documented species, Des Moines offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #37 for species diversity among 223 Iowa natural areas, placing it in the 83th 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

#37

Regional Rank

Out of 223 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common27 species

Occasional27 species

Rare17 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#37 of 223 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Iowa

-10% 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 90 total documented species.

Calidris melanotos

pectoral sandpiper

Very Common4 obs.

Glechoma hederacea

ground ivy

Very Common4 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common4 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common3 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Very Common3 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Common3 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common3 obs.

Cichorium intybus

chicory

Common2 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Common2 obs.

Claytonia virginica

Eastern Springbeauty

Common2 obs.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Common2 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional2 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Occasional2 obs.

Polistes dominula

Paper Wasp

Occasional2 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Occasional2 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Occasional1 obs.

Polistes fuscatus

Dark Paper Wasp

Occasional1 obs.

Dermestes lardarius

Larder Beetle

Rare1 obs.

Cotinis nitida

Rare1 obs.

Diabrotica barberi

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 Des Moines. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+30%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Iowa

Nearby Natural Areas

Iowa

Importance: 0.72

100 species

-10% vs. current

Cedar Rapids

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-10% vs. current

Dubuque

Importance: 0.49

40 species

+125% vs. current

Iowa City

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-10% vs. current

Ames

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-10% vs. current

Council Bluffs

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-10% vs. current

Waterloo

Importance: 0.45

1 species

+8900% vs. current

Marshalltown

Importance: 0.44

8 species

+1025% 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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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+30%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Iowa

Nearby Natural Areas

Iowa

Importance: 0.72

100 species

-10% vs. current

Cedar Rapids

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-10% vs. current

Dubuque

Importance: 0.49

40 species

+125% vs. current

Iowa City

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-10% vs. current

Ames

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-10% vs. current

Council Bluffs

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-10% vs. current

Waterloo

Importance: 0.45

1 species

+8900% vs. current

Marshalltown

Importance: 0.44

8 species

+1025% 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

#37

Regional Rank

Out of 223 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common27 species

Occasional27 species

Rare17 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#37 of 223 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Iowa

-10% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 90 total documented species.

Calidris melanotos

pectoral sandpiper

Very Common4 obs.

Glechoma hederacea

ground ivy

Very Common4 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common4 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common3 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Very Common3 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Common3 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common3 obs.

Cichorium intybus

chicory

Common2 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Common2 obs.

Claytonia virginica

Eastern Springbeauty

Common2 obs.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Common2 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional2 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Occasional2 obs.

Polistes dominula

Paper Wasp

Occasional2 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Occasional2 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Occasional1 obs.

Polistes fuscatus

Dark Paper Wasp

Occasional1 obs.

Dermestes lardarius

Larder Beetle

Rare1 obs.

Cotinis nitida

Rare1 obs.

Diabrotica barberi

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 90 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.