Lake Elmo

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Elmo ecosystem supports 61 documented wildlife species across 58 taxonomic genera. Located in Washington County, Minnesota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Stillwater, Lake Elmo hosts 281% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 13 Washington County County natural areas, placing it in the 85th 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 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 13 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Stillwater

+281% 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 61 total documented species.

Centaurea stoebe

spotted knapweed

Very Common2 obs.

Quercus ellipsoidalis

Hill's oak

Very Common2 obs.

Ladona julia

Chalk-fronted Corporal

Very Common2 obs.

Paragyrodon sphaerosporus

Very Common2 obs.

Rudbeckia hirta

Blackeyed Susan

Very Common2 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common2 obs.

Silene latifolia

Bladder campion

Common2 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Common2 obs.

Phyllotopsis nidulans

Stinking Orange Oyster

Common2 obs.

Dermacentor variabilis

American Dog Tick

Common1 obs.

Elasmostethus atricornis

Occasional1 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Occasional1 obs.

Ambystoma tigrinum

tiger salamander

Occasional1 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Occasional1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Occasional1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Rare1 obs.

Thamnophis sirtalis

Common Garter Snake

Rare1 obs.

Megarhyssa atrata

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 Lake Elmo. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+154%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Washington County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Stillwater

Importance: 0.43

16 species

+281% vs. current

Washington County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-39% vs. current

Forest Lake

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+510% vs. current

Mays Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6000% vs. current

Lake McKusick

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6000% vs. current

Marine On St. Croix

Importance: 0.30

6 species

+917% vs. current

Afton

Importance: 0.28

55 species

+11% vs. current

Bayport

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+1425% 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 Washington 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

+154%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Washington County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Stillwater

Importance: 0.43

16 species

+281% vs. current

Washington County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-39% vs. current

Forest Lake

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+510% vs. current

Mays Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6000% vs. current

Lake McKusick

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6000% vs. current

Marine On St. Croix

Importance: 0.30

6 species

+917% vs. current

Afton

Importance: 0.28

55 species

+11% vs. current

Bayport

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+1425% 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 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 13 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Stillwater

+281% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 61 total documented species.

Centaurea stoebe

spotted knapweed

Very Common2 obs.

Quercus ellipsoidalis

Hill's oak

Very Common2 obs.

Ladona julia

Chalk-fronted Corporal

Very Common2 obs.

Paragyrodon sphaerosporus

Very Common2 obs.

Rudbeckia hirta

Blackeyed Susan

Very Common2 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common2 obs.

Silene latifolia

Bladder campion

Common2 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Common2 obs.

Phyllotopsis nidulans

Stinking Orange Oyster

Common2 obs.

Dermacentor variabilis

American Dog Tick

Common1 obs.

Elasmostethus atricornis

Occasional1 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Occasional1 obs.

Ambystoma tigrinum

tiger salamander

Occasional1 obs.

Quiscalus quiscula

Common Grackle

Occasional1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Occasional1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Rare1 obs.

Thamnophis sirtalis

Common Garter Snake

Rare1 obs.

Megarhyssa atrata

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 61 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.