Portola Springs

Ecosystem Overview

The Portola Springs ecosystem supports 93 documented wildlife species across 81 taxonomic genera. Located in Orange County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Anaheim nearby has 7% more documented species, Portola Springs offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #20 for species diversity among 73 Orange County County natural areas, placing it in the 73th 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

#20

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#20 of 73 locations

73th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

-7% 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 93 total documented species.

Bombus californicus

California bumble bee

Very Common16 obs.

Bombus crotchii

Crotch bumble bee

Very Common11 obs.

Oncosiphon pilulifer

Very Common11 obs.

Dittrichia graveolens

stink aster

Very Common9 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Very Common4 obs.

Neoscona oaxacensis

Western spotted orbweaver

Common3 obs.

Cenchrus setaceus

Crimson fountaingrass

Common3 obs.

Croton californicus

Common3 obs.

Artemisia californica

California sagebrush

Common3 obs.

Encelia californica

Common3 obs.

Cynara cardunculus

Cardoon

Common3 obs.

Pseudognaphalium californicum

California rabbit-tobacco

Occasional3 obs.

Crotalus ruber

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Occasional2 obs.

Estigmene acrea

Saltmarsh Caterpillar

Occasional2 obs.

Ambrosia acanthicarpa

burr ragweed

Occasional2 obs.

Hirschfeldia incana

hoary mustard

Occasional2 obs.

Phacelia distans

Occasional2 obs.

Salvia mellifera

black sage

Rare2 obs.

Pituophis catenifer

Bullsnake [sayi]

Rare2 obs.

Bombus vosnesenskii

Vosnesensky bumble bee

Rare2 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 Portola Springs. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-3%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-7% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+35% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-7% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-7% 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 Orange 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

-3%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-7% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+35% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-7% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-7% 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

#20

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#20 of 73 locations

73th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

-7% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 93 total documented species.

Bombus californicus

California bumble bee

Very Common16 obs.

Bombus crotchii

Crotch bumble bee

Very Common11 obs.

Oncosiphon pilulifer

Very Common11 obs.

Dittrichia graveolens

stink aster

Very Common9 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Very Common4 obs.

Neoscona oaxacensis

Western spotted orbweaver

Common3 obs.

Cenchrus setaceus

Crimson fountaingrass

Common3 obs.

Croton californicus

Common3 obs.

Artemisia californica

California sagebrush

Common3 obs.

Encelia californica

Common3 obs.

Cynara cardunculus

Cardoon

Common3 obs.

Pseudognaphalium californicum

California rabbit-tobacco

Occasional3 obs.

Crotalus ruber

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Occasional2 obs.

Estigmene acrea

Saltmarsh Caterpillar

Occasional2 obs.

Ambrosia acanthicarpa

burr ragweed

Occasional2 obs.

Hirschfeldia incana

hoary mustard

Occasional2 obs.

Phacelia distans

Occasional2 obs.

Salvia mellifera

black sage

Rare2 obs.

Pituophis catenifer

Bullsnake [sayi]

Rare2 obs.

Bombus vosnesenskii

Vosnesensky bumble bee

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 93 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.