Mesa County

Ecosystem Overview

The Mesa County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 89 taxonomic genera. Located in Mesa County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Grand Junction, Mesa County hosts 30% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 13 Mesa County County natural areas, placing it in the 92th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

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 Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 13 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Grand Junction

+30% 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 100 total documented species.

Ephedra viridis

Jointfir

Very Common18 obs.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

greasewood

Very Common16 obs.

Pinus edulis

Pinyon Pine

Very Common16 obs.

Crotaphytus collaris

Collared Lizard

Very Common14 obs.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

red false mallow

Very Common14 obs.

Aspidoscelis tigris

Western Whiptail

Common13 obs.

Juniperus osteosperma

Utah Juniper

Common13 obs.

Cercocarpus montanus

mountain-mahogany

Common12 obs.

Phlox longifolia

long-leaved phlox

Common12 obs.

Paruroctonus boreus

Common11 obs.

Artemisia tridentata

Common11 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Occasional10 obs.

Euphorbia fendleri

Fendler's euphorbia

Occasional10 obs.

Physaria floribunda

point-tip twinpod

Occasional9 obs.

Strigosella africana

African mustard

Occasional9 obs.

Vesper bulbosus

Occasional9 obs.

Eriocoma hymenoides

Indian mountain ricegrass

Occasional9 obs.

Stanleya pinnata

prince's-plume

Rare9 obs.

Androstephium breviflorum

Rare9 obs.

Phlox hoodii

Hood's phlox

Rare8 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+456%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mesa County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Grand Junction

Importance: 0.47

77 species

+30% vs. current

Fruita

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+270% vs. current

Jumbo Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+525% vs. current

MacK Mesa Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Vega Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Highline Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Clifton

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Palisade

Importance: 0.28

12 species

+733% 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 Mesa 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

100

Species Count

+456%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mesa County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Grand Junction

Importance: 0.47

77 species

+30% vs. current

Fruita

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+270% vs. current

Jumbo Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+525% vs. current

MacK Mesa Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Vega Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Highline Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Clifton

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Palisade

Importance: 0.28

12 species

+733% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

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 Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 13 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Grand Junction

+30% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Ephedra viridis

Jointfir

Very Common18 obs.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

greasewood

Very Common16 obs.

Pinus edulis

Pinyon Pine

Very Common16 obs.

Crotaphytus collaris

Collared Lizard

Very Common14 obs.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

red false mallow

Very Common14 obs.

Aspidoscelis tigris

Western Whiptail

Common13 obs.

Juniperus osteosperma

Utah Juniper

Common13 obs.

Cercocarpus montanus

mountain-mahogany

Common12 obs.

Phlox longifolia

long-leaved phlox

Common12 obs.

Paruroctonus boreus

Common11 obs.

Artemisia tridentata

Common11 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Occasional10 obs.

Euphorbia fendleri

Fendler's euphorbia

Occasional10 obs.

Physaria floribunda

point-tip twinpod

Occasional9 obs.

Strigosella africana

African mustard

Occasional9 obs.

Vesper bulbosus

Occasional9 obs.

Eriocoma hymenoides

Indian mountain ricegrass

Occasional9 obs.

Stanleya pinnata

prince's-plume

Rare9 obs.

Androstephium breviflorum

Rare9 obs.

Phlox hoodii

Hood's phlox

Rare8 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.