Stow Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Stow Lake ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 83 taxonomic genera. Located in San Francisco City and County, California, 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. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 21 San Francisco City and County County natural areas, placing it in the 86th 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 21 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. San Francisco

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.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Very Common76 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common57 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common33 obs.

Larus brachyrhynchus

Short-billed Gull

Very Common33 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common32 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Common32 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Common31 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common27 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common27 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common21 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common14 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Occasional13 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Occasional12 obs.

Tadarida brasiliensis

Brazilian Free-tailed Bat

Occasional12 obs.

Larus glaucescens

Glaucous-winged Gull

Occasional11 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Occasional9 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Occasional8 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Rare6 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Rare6 obs.

Porzana carolina

Sora

Rare6 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 Stow Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+104%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Francisco

Importance: 0.69

100 species

0% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

+33% vs. current

Mountain Lake

Importance: 0.35

60 species

+67% vs. current

Elk Glen Lake

Importance: 0.35

54 species

+85% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+233% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+257% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+355% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+376% 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 San Francisco City and 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

+104%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Francisco

Importance: 0.69

100 species

0% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

+33% vs. current

Mountain Lake

Importance: 0.35

60 species

+67% vs. current

Elk Glen Lake

Importance: 0.35

54 species

+85% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+233% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+257% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+355% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+376% 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 21 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. San Francisco

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Very Common76 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common57 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common33 obs.

Larus brachyrhynchus

Short-billed Gull

Very Common33 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common32 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Common32 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Common31 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Common27 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common27 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common21 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common14 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Occasional13 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Occasional12 obs.

Tadarida brasiliensis

Brazilian Free-tailed Bat

Occasional12 obs.

Larus glaucescens

Glaucous-winged Gull

Occasional11 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Occasional9 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Occasional8 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Rare6 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Rare6 obs.

Porzana carolina

Sora

Rare6 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.