Lake Albemarle

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Albemarle ecosystem supports 16 documented wildlife species across 15 taxonomic genera. Located in Albemarle County, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Charlottesville nearby has 84% more documented species, Lake Albemarle offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #7 for species diversity among 10 Albemarle County County natural areas, placing it in the 30th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 10 locations

30th percentile for diversity

vs. Charlottesville

-84% 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 16 total documented species.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Very Common2 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Very Common2 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Very Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula incesta

Slaty Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Common1 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Common1 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Common1 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Common1 obs.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common1 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Common1 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Occasional1 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Occasional1 obs.

Argia apicalis

Blue-fronted Dancer

Occasional1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional1 obs.

Pseudemys concinna

River Cooter

Occasional1 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 Albemarle. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-69%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Albemarle County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charlottesville

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-84% vs. current

Albemarle County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-84% vs. current

Chris Greene Lake

Importance: 0.35

81 species

-80% vs. current

Walnut Creek

Importance: 0.35

18 species

-11% vs. current

Crozet Park Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+700% vs. current

Mint Springs Upper Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1500% vs. current

South Fork Rivanna Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

100 species

-84% vs. current

Totier Creek Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

17 species

-6% 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 Albemarle 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

-69%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Albemarle County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charlottesville

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-84% vs. current

Albemarle County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-84% vs. current

Chris Greene Lake

Importance: 0.35

81 species

-80% vs. current

Walnut Creek

Importance: 0.35

18 species

-11% vs. current

Crozet Park Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+700% vs. current

Mint Springs Upper Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1500% vs. current

South Fork Rivanna Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

100 species

-84% vs. current

Totier Creek Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

17 species

-6% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 10 locations

30th percentile for diversity

vs. Charlottesville

-84% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 16 total documented species.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Very Common2 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Very Common2 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Very Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common2 obs.

Libellula incesta

Slaty Skimmer

Very Common1 obs.

Perithemis tenera

Eastern Amberwing

Common1 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Common1 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Common1 obs.

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree/Violet-Green Swallow

Common1 obs.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common1 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Common1 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Occasional1 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Occasional1 obs.

Argia apicalis

Blue-fronted Dancer

Occasional1 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional1 obs.

Pseudemys concinna

River Cooter

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 16 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.