Whiteside County

Ecosystem Overview

The Whiteside County ecosystem supports 67 documented wildlife species across 60 taxonomic genera. Located in Whiteside County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 14 frequently observed species and 13 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Sterling, Whiteside County hosts 0% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 3 Whiteside County County natural areas, placing it in the 67th 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

Regional Rank

Out of 3 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common20 species

Occasional20 species

Rare13 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 3 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Sterling

+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 67 total documented species.

Opuntia macrorhiza

western prickly-pear

Very Common5 obs.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium

Fragrant Everlasting

Very Common2 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Very Common2 obs.

Oenothera clelandii

Sand Evening-Primrose

Very Common2 obs.

Krigia virginica

Virginia dwarf-dandelion

Very Common2 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common2 obs.

Nelumbo lutea

American lotus

Common2 obs.

Lithospermum caroliniense

Common2 obs.

Carex muehlenbergii

Muhlenberg's bracted sedge

Common2 obs.

Saponaria officinalis

soapwort

Common2 obs.

Alypia octomaculata

Eightspotted Forester

Common1 obs.

Celithemis eponina

Halloween Pennant

Occasional1 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Occasional1 obs.

Estigmene acrea

Saltmarsh Caterpillar

Occasional1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional1 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Occasional1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Rare1 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Rare1 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-belted Bumblebee

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Whiteside County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+1575%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 2 nearby locations in Whiteside County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Rock Falls

Importance: 0.48

3 species

+2133% vs. current

Prophetstown

Importance: 0.31

5 species

+1240% 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 Whiteside 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

Species Count

+1575%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 2 nearby locations in Whiteside County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Rock Falls

Importance: 0.48

3 species

+2133% vs. current

Prophetstown

Importance: 0.31

5 species

+1240% 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

Regional Rank

Out of 3 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common20 species

Occasional20 species

Rare13 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 3 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Sterling

+0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 67 total documented species.

Opuntia macrorhiza

western prickly-pear

Very Common5 obs.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium

Fragrant Everlasting

Very Common2 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Very Common2 obs.

Oenothera clelandii

Sand Evening-Primrose

Very Common2 obs.

Krigia virginica

Virginia dwarf-dandelion

Very Common2 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common2 obs.

Nelumbo lutea

American lotus

Common2 obs.

Lithospermum caroliniense

Common2 obs.

Carex muehlenbergii

Muhlenberg's bracted sedge

Common2 obs.

Saponaria officinalis

soapwort

Common2 obs.

Alypia octomaculata

Eightspotted Forester

Common1 obs.

Celithemis eponina

Halloween Pennant

Occasional1 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Occasional1 obs.

Estigmene acrea

Saltmarsh Caterpillar

Occasional1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional1 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Occasional1 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Occasional1 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Rare1 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Rare1 obs.

Bombus griseocollis

Brown-belted Bumblebee

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 67 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.