Big Smoky Valley

Ecosystem Overview

The Big Smoky Valley ecosystem supports 87 documented wildlife species across 77 taxonomic genera. Located in Nevada, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 18 frequently observed species and 17 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Nevada nearby has 13% more documented species, Big Smoky Valley offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #24 for species diversity among 127 Nevada natural areas, placing it in the 81th 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 127 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species

Common26 species

Occasional26 species

Rare17 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 127 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Nevada

-13% 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 87 total documented species.

Sarcobatus baileyi

Bailey greasewood

Very Common5 obs.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

greasewood

Very Common3 obs.

Neokochia americana

perennial summer-cypress

Very Common3 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Very Common2 obs.

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of heaven

Very Common2 obs.

Blepharidachne kingii

Common2 obs.

Sayornis saya

Say's phoebe

Common2 obs.

Halogeton glomeratus

Common2 obs.

Nitrophila occidentalis

Common2 obs.

Tetradymia glabrata

littleleaf horsebrush

Common2 obs.

Grayia spinosa

spiny hopsage

Common2 obs.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Occasional2 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Occasional2 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Occasional2 obs.

Phragmites australis

Common Reed

Occasional2 obs.

Philadelphus microphyllus

desert mock orange

Occasional2 obs.

Baileya pleniradiata

Occasional2 obs.

Eriocoma hymenoides

Indian mountain ricegrass

Rare2 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Rare2 obs.

No image

Typocerus serraticornis

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 Big Smoky Valley. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Nevada

Nearby Natural Areas

Nevada

Importance: 0.71

100 species

-13% vs. current

Reno

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-13% vs. current

Carson City

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-13% vs. current

Clark County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-13% vs. current

Paradise

Importance: 0.44

63 species

+38% vs. current

Henderson

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-13% vs. current

Elko

Importance: 0.41

29 species

+200% vs. current

Las Vegas

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-13% 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 Nevada.

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

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Nevada

Nearby Natural Areas

Nevada

Importance: 0.71

100 species

-13% vs. current

Reno

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-13% vs. current

Carson City

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-13% vs. current

Clark County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-13% vs. current

Paradise

Importance: 0.44

63 species

+38% vs. current

Henderson

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-13% vs. current

Elko

Importance: 0.41

29 species

+200% vs. current

Las Vegas

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-13% 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 127 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species

Common26 species

Occasional26 species

Rare17 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 127 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Nevada

-13% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 87 total documented species.

Sarcobatus baileyi

Bailey greasewood

Very Common5 obs.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus

greasewood

Very Common3 obs.

Neokochia americana

perennial summer-cypress

Very Common3 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Very Common2 obs.

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of heaven

Very Common2 obs.

Blepharidachne kingii

Common2 obs.

Sayornis saya

Say's phoebe

Common2 obs.

Halogeton glomeratus

Common2 obs.

Nitrophila occidentalis

Common2 obs.

Tetradymia glabrata

littleleaf horsebrush

Common2 obs.

Grayia spinosa

spiny hopsage

Common2 obs.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Occasional2 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Occasional2 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Occasional2 obs.

Phragmites australis

Common Reed

Occasional2 obs.

Philadelphus microphyllus

desert mock orange

Occasional2 obs.

Baileya pleniradiata

Occasional2 obs.

Eriocoma hymenoides

Indian mountain ricegrass

Rare2 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Rare2 obs.

No image

Typocerus serraticornis

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 87 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.