Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Ecosystem Overview

The Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge ecosystem supports 78 documented wildlife species across 74 taxonomic genera. Located in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 16 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Ouachita River nearby has 2% more documented species, Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers unique wildlife observation opportunities.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

vs. Ouachita River

-2% 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 78 total documented species.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Green Clearwing

Very Common7 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Very Common5 obs.

Nelumbo lutea

Yellow Lotus

Very Common4 obs.

Acris blanchardi

Blanchard'S Cricket Frog

Very Common4 obs.

Trichonephila clavipes

Very Common4 obs.

Taxodium distichum

Bald Cypress

Common4 obs.

Brunnichia ovata

Common3.04 obs.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Woodbine

Common2.94 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

Starling

Common2.2 obs.

Quercus similis

Delta Post Oak

Common2.07 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green Anole

Common2 obs.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga

Occasional2 obs.

Sphyrapicus varius

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Occasional2 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional2 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Occasional2 obs.

Opheodrys aestivus

Greensnake

Occasional2 obs.

Malacosoma disstria

Forest Tent Caterpillar

Occasional2 obs.

Sabal minor

Latanier

Rare2 obs.

Salvinia molesta

Kariba Weed

Rare2 obs.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+24%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ouachita Parish County, Louisiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Ouachita River

Importance: 0.80

80 species

-2% vs. current

Ouachita Parish

Importance: 0.80

76 species

+3% vs. current

Monroe

Importance: 0.80

73 species

+7% vs. current

Bayou Bartholomew

Importance: 0.80

3 species

+2500% vs. current

Sterlington

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-2% vs. current

West Monroe

Importance: 0.70

76 species

+3% vs. current

Monroe

Importance: 0.70

73 species

+7% vs. current

Richwood

Importance: 0.70

45 species

+73% 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 Ouachita Parish 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

+24%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ouachita Parish County, Louisiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Ouachita River

Importance: 0.80

80 species

-2% vs. current

Ouachita Parish

Importance: 0.80

76 species

+3% vs. current

Monroe

Importance: 0.80

73 species

+7% vs. current

Bayou Bartholomew

Importance: 0.80

3 species

+2500% vs. current

Sterlington

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-2% vs. current

West Monroe

Importance: 0.70

76 species

+3% vs. current

Monroe

Importance: 0.70

73 species

+7% vs. current

Richwood

Importance: 0.70

45 species

+73% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 78 total documented species.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Green Clearwing

Very Common7 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Very Common5 obs.

Nelumbo lutea

Yellow Lotus

Very Common4 obs.

Acris blanchardi

Blanchard'S Cricket Frog

Very Common4 obs.

Trichonephila clavipes

Very Common4 obs.

Taxodium distichum

Bald Cypress

Common4 obs.

Brunnichia ovata

Common3.04 obs.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Woodbine

Common2.94 obs.

Sturnus vulgaris

Starling

Common2.2 obs.

Quercus similis

Delta Post Oak

Common2.07 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green Anole

Common2 obs.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga

Occasional2 obs.

Sphyrapicus varius

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Occasional2 obs.

Dryobates pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

Occasional2 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Occasional2 obs.

Opheodrys aestivus

Greensnake

Occasional2 obs.

Malacosoma disstria

Forest Tent Caterpillar

Occasional2 obs.

Sabal minor

Latanier

Rare2 obs.

Salvinia molesta

Kariba Weed

Rare2 obs.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 78 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.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

vs. Ouachita River

-2% species diversity