Apple Valley

Ecosystem Overview

The Apple Valley ecosystem supports 24 documented wildlife species across 24 taxonomic genera. Located in Dakota County, Minnesota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Eagan nearby has 76% more documented species, Apple Valley offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 17 Dakota County County natural areas, placing it in the 71th 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 17 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 17 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Eagan

-76% 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 24 total documented species.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Very Common2 obs.

Tringa solitaria

Solitary Sandpiper

Very Common2 obs.

Pisaurina mira

American Nursery Web Spider

Very Common1 obs.

Pimephales promelas

fathead minnow

Very Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Very Common1 obs.

Lithobates pipiens

Northern Leopard Frog

Common1 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Common1 obs.

Trachemys scripta

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

Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Corylus americana

American Hazelnut

Common1 obs.

Viburnum lantana

wayfaring tree

Common1 obs.

Caragana arborescens

Siberian Pea-Shrub

Occasional1 obs.

Comarum palustre

Marsh Five-Fingers

Occasional1 obs.

Anemone virginiana

Thimbleweed

Occasional1 obs.

Sphinx kalmiae

Occasional1 obs.

Procyon lotor

raccoon, northern raccoon

Occasional1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional1 obs.

Sagittaria latifolia

Broadleaf arrowhead

Rare1 obs.

Ageratina altissima

white snakeroot

Rare1 obs.

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

Spermophile rayé

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 Apple Valley. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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

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$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-54%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Dakota County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Eagan

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-76% vs. current

Burnsville

Importance: 0.43

95 species

-75% vs. current

Dakota County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-76% vs. current

Lakeville

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-76% vs. current

Farmington

Importance: 0.41

1 species

+2300% vs. current

McDonough Lake

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+243% vs. current

Lake Rebecca

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+243% vs. current

Jensen Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+380% 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 Dakota 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

-54%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Dakota County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Eagan

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-76% vs. current

Burnsville

Importance: 0.43

95 species

-75% vs. current

Dakota County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-76% vs. current

Lakeville

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-76% vs. current

Farmington

Importance: 0.41

1 species

+2300% vs. current

McDonough Lake

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+243% vs. current

Lake Rebecca

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+243% vs. current

Jensen Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+380% 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 17 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 17 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Eagan

-76% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 24 total documented species.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Very Common2 obs.

Tringa solitaria

Solitary Sandpiper

Very Common2 obs.

Pisaurina mira

American Nursery Web Spider

Very Common1 obs.

Pimephales promelas

fathead minnow

Very Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Very Common1 obs.

Lithobates pipiens

Northern Leopard Frog

Common1 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Common1 obs.

Trachemys scripta

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

Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Corylus americana

American Hazelnut

Common1 obs.

Viburnum lantana

wayfaring tree

Common1 obs.

Caragana arborescens

Siberian Pea-Shrub

Occasional1 obs.

Comarum palustre

Marsh Five-Fingers

Occasional1 obs.

Anemone virginiana

Thimbleweed

Occasional1 obs.

Sphinx kalmiae

Occasional1 obs.

Procyon lotor

raccoon, northern raccoon

Occasional1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional1 obs.

Sagittaria latifolia

Broadleaf arrowhead

Rare1 obs.

Ageratina altissima

white snakeroot

Rare1 obs.

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

Spermophile rayé

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 24 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.