Sand Ridge State Forest

Ecosystem Overview

The Sand Ridge State Forest ecosystem supports 78 documented wildlife species across 71 taxonomic genera. Located in Mason County, Illinois, 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 Mason County nearby has 1% more documented species, Sand Ridge State Forest offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #24 for species diversity among 100 Mason County County natural areas, placing it in the 76th 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 100 locations

76th percentile for diversity

vs. Mason County

-1% 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.

Camponotus chromaiodes

Red Carpenter Ant

Very Common5 obs.

Toxicodendron radicans

Poison Ivy

Very Common4.1 obs.

Asterocampa celtis

Hackberry Emperor

Very Common4 obs.

Saponaria officinalis

Soapwort

Very Common4 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

Ebony Spleenwort

Very Common3 obs.

Ambrosia trifida

Horseweed

Common3 obs.

Cicindela formosa

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

Common3 obs.

Pseudacris crucifer

Spring Peeper

Common2.29 obs.

Anaxyrus fowleri

Fowler'S Toad

Common2.11 obs.

Quercus marilandica

Blackjack Oak

Common2 obs.

Rhus aromatica

Squawbush

Common2 obs.

Arctosa littoralis

Wolf Spiders

Occasional2 obs.

Chrysochus auratus

Dogbane Leaf Beetle

Occasional2 obs.

Ptelea trifoliata

Hoptree

Occasional2 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Occasional2 obs.

Chlosyne gorgone

Gorgone Checkerspot

Occasional2 obs.

Camponotus castaneus

Occasional2 obs.

Zanthoxylum americanum

Prickly Ash

Rare2 obs.

Tradescantia ohiensis

Bluejacket

Rare2 obs.

Strigoderma arbicola

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+73%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mason County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Mason County

Importance: 0.80

79 species

-1% vs. current

Havana

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-2% vs. current

Forest City

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-2% vs. current

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

78 species

0% vs. current

Topeka

Importance: 0.70

24 species

+225% vs. current

Manito

Importance: 0.70

11 species

+609% vs. current

Kilbourne

Importance: 0.70

9 species

+767% vs. current

Bath

Importance: 0.70

1 species

+7700% 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 Mason 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

+73%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mason County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Mason County

Importance: 0.80

79 species

-1% vs. current

Havana

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-2% vs. current

Forest City

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-2% vs. current

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

78 species

0% vs. current

Topeka

Importance: 0.70

24 species

+225% vs. current

Manito

Importance: 0.70

11 species

+609% vs. current

Kilbourne

Importance: 0.70

9 species

+767% vs. current

Bath

Importance: 0.70

1 species

+7700% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

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

Camponotus chromaiodes

Red Carpenter Ant

Very Common5 obs.

Toxicodendron radicans

Poison Ivy

Very Common4.1 obs.

Asterocampa celtis

Hackberry Emperor

Very Common4 obs.

Saponaria officinalis

Soapwort

Very Common4 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

Ebony Spleenwort

Very Common3 obs.

Ambrosia trifida

Horseweed

Common3 obs.

Cicindela formosa

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

Common3 obs.

Pseudacris crucifer

Spring Peeper

Common2.29 obs.

Anaxyrus fowleri

Fowler'S Toad

Common2.11 obs.

Quercus marilandica

Blackjack Oak

Common2 obs.

Rhus aromatica

Squawbush

Common2 obs.

Arctosa littoralis

Wolf Spiders

Occasional2 obs.

Chrysochus auratus

Dogbane Leaf Beetle

Occasional2 obs.

Ptelea trifoliata

Hoptree

Occasional2 obs.

Ischnura verticalis

Eastern Forktail

Occasional2 obs.

Chlosyne gorgone

Gorgone Checkerspot

Occasional2 obs.

Camponotus castaneus

Occasional2 obs.

Zanthoxylum americanum

Prickly Ash

Rare2 obs.

Tradescantia ohiensis

Bluejacket

Rare2 obs.

Strigoderma arbicola

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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 100 locations

76th percentile for diversity

vs. Mason County

-1% species diversity