West Virginia

Ecosystem Overview

The West Virginia ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 98 taxonomic genera. Located in West Virginia, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. 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 Charleston, West Virginia hosts 14% more species diversity. This location ranks #11 for species diversity among 132 West Virginia 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

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 132 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Charleston

+14% 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.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common224 obs.

Plethodon cinereus

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander

Very Common141 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common103 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common96 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common73 obs.

Notophthalmus viridescens

Eastern newt

Common62 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common60 obs.

Vulpes vulpes

fox, red fox

Common60 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Common60 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common59 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Common57 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Occasional55 obs.

Desmognathus ochrophaeus

Mountain Dusky Salamander

Occasional53 obs.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Occasional51 obs.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain-Laurel

Occasional50 obs.

Rhododendron maximum

Big Rhododendron

Occasional48 obs.

Platanus occidentalis

American Sycamore

Occasional47 obs.

Procyon lotor

raccoon, northern raccoon

Rare47 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Rare45 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

southern running-pine

Rare43 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 West Virginia. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in West Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charleston

Importance: 0.50

88 species

+14% vs. current

Wheeling

Importance: 0.48

12 species

+733% vs. current

Huntington

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Morgantown

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Martinsburg

Importance: 0.45

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Parkersburg

Importance: 0.44

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Beckley

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Berkeley County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% 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 West Virginia.

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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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in West Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charleston

Importance: 0.50

88 species

+14% vs. current

Wheeling

Importance: 0.48

12 species

+733% vs. current

Huntington

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Morgantown

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Martinsburg

Importance: 0.45

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Parkersburg

Importance: 0.44

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Beckley

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Berkeley County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% 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

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 132 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Charleston

+14% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common224 obs.

Plethodon cinereus

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander

Very Common141 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common103 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Very Common96 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common73 obs.

Notophthalmus viridescens

Eastern newt

Common62 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common60 obs.

Vulpes vulpes

fox, red fox

Common60 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Common60 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common59 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Common57 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Occasional55 obs.

Desmognathus ochrophaeus

Mountain Dusky Salamander

Occasional53 obs.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Occasional51 obs.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain-Laurel

Occasional50 obs.

Rhododendron maximum

Big Rhododendron

Occasional48 obs.

Platanus occidentalis

American Sycamore

Occasional47 obs.

Procyon lotor

raccoon, northern raccoon

Rare47 obs.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Rare45 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

southern running-pine

Rare43 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.