Ames

Ecosystem Overview

The Ames ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 93 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 #30 for species diversity among 223 Iowa natural areas, placing it in the 87th 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

#30

Regional Rank

Out of 223 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#30 of 223 locations

87th 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.

Thlaspi arvense

field pennycress

Very Common13 obs.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Very Common9 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-belted Bumblebee

Very Common7 obs.

Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed

Very Common5 obs.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Very Common5 obs.

Hesperis matronalis

Dames rocket

Common5 obs.

Alliaria petiolata

garlic mustard

Common5 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common5 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Common5 obs.

Lonicera maackii

Bush Honeysuckle

Common5 obs.

Quercus macrocarpa

Bur Oak

Common4 obs.

Cerioporus squamosus

Occasional4 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Occasional4 obs.

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

Occasional4 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Occasional4 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Occasional4 obs.

Procyon lotor

raccoon, northern raccoon

Occasional4 obs.

Conium maculatum

hemlock

Rare4 obs.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green sunfish

Rare3 obs.

Bombus bimaculatus

Two-Spotted Bumble Bee

Rare3 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 Ames. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+49%

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

Council Bluffs

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Waterloo

Importance: 0.45

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Marshalltown

Importance: 0.44

8 species

+1150% 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

+49%

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

Council Bluffs

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Waterloo

Importance: 0.45

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Marshalltown

Importance: 0.44

8 species

+1150% 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

#30

Regional Rank

Out of 223 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#30 of 223 locations

87th percentile for diversity

vs. Iowa

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Thlaspi arvense

field pennycress

Very Common13 obs.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Very Common9 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-belted Bumblebee

Very Common7 obs.

Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed

Very Common5 obs.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Very Common5 obs.

Hesperis matronalis

Dames rocket

Common5 obs.

Alliaria petiolata

garlic mustard

Common5 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common5 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Common5 obs.

Lonicera maackii

Bush Honeysuckle

Common5 obs.

Quercus macrocarpa

Bur Oak

Common4 obs.

Cerioporus squamosus

Occasional4 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Occasional4 obs.

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

Occasional4 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Occasional4 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Occasional4 obs.

Procyon lotor

raccoon, northern raccoon

Occasional4 obs.

Conium maculatum

hemlock

Rare4 obs.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green sunfish

Rare3 obs.

Bombus bimaculatus

Two-Spotted Bumble Bee

Rare3 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.