Scotch Plains

Ecosystem Overview

The Scotch Plains ecosystem supports 32 documented wildlife species across 32 taxonomic genera. Located in Union County, New Jersey, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 7 frequently observed species and 6 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Elizabeth, Scotch Plains hosts 256% more species diversity. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 19 Union County County natural areas, placing it in the 74th 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 19 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common10 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 19 locations

74th percentile for diversity

vs. Elizabeth

+256% 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 32 total documented species.

Cunila origanoides

stone-mint

Very Common2 obs.

Lucidota atra

Black Firefly

Very Common1 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Very Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common1 obs.

Stropharia rugosoannulata

Wine Roundhead

Very Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Pylaisiadelpha tenuirostris

Common1 obs.

Dactylis glomerata

Orchardgrass

Common1 obs.

Ornithogalum umbellatum

Nap-At-Noon

Common1 obs.

Asarum canadense

wild ginger

Common1 obs.

Quercus montana

mountain chestnut oak

Common1 obs.

Rhododendron periclymenoides

Pinxterbloom Azalea

Occasional1 obs.

Viburnum acerifolium

Possum Haw

Occasional1 obs.

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Shawnee Salad

Occasional1 obs.

Aegopodium podagraria

Ashweed

Occasional1 obs.

Sanicula odorata

cluster sanicle

Occasional1 obs.

Aralia elata

Japanese Angelica-Tree

Occasional1 obs.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia-creeper

Rare1 obs.

Erigeron philadelphicus

common fleabane

Rare1 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Rare1 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 Scotch Plains. 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 Union County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Elizabeth

Importance: 0.47

9 species

+256% vs. current

Union County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-68% vs. current

Rahway

Importance: 0.42

2 species

+1500% vs. current

Plainfield

Importance: 0.41

2 species

+1500% vs. current

Summit

Importance: 0.41

71 species

-55% vs. current

Westfield

Importance: 0.39

17 species

+88% vs. current

Linden

Importance: 0.38

26 species

+23% vs. current

Mountainside

Importance: 0.37

24 species

+33% 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 Union 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 Union County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Elizabeth

Importance: 0.47

9 species

+256% vs. current

Union County

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-68% vs. current

Rahway

Importance: 0.42

2 species

+1500% vs. current

Plainfield

Importance: 0.41

2 species

+1500% vs. current

Summit

Importance: 0.41

71 species

-55% vs. current

Westfield

Importance: 0.39

17 species

+88% vs. current

Linden

Importance: 0.38

26 species

+23% vs. current

Mountainside

Importance: 0.37

24 species

+33% 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 19 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common10 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 19 locations

74th percentile for diversity

vs. Elizabeth

+256% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 32 total documented species.

Cunila origanoides

stone-mint

Very Common2 obs.

Lucidota atra

Black Firefly

Very Common1 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Very Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common1 obs.

Stropharia rugosoannulata

Wine Roundhead

Very Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Pylaisiadelpha tenuirostris

Common1 obs.

Dactylis glomerata

Orchardgrass

Common1 obs.

Ornithogalum umbellatum

Nap-At-Noon

Common1 obs.

Asarum canadense

wild ginger

Common1 obs.

Quercus montana

mountain chestnut oak

Common1 obs.

Rhododendron periclymenoides

Pinxterbloom Azalea

Occasional1 obs.

Viburnum acerifolium

Possum Haw

Occasional1 obs.

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Shawnee Salad

Occasional1 obs.

Aegopodium podagraria

Ashweed

Occasional1 obs.

Sanicula odorata

cluster sanicle

Occasional1 obs.

Aralia elata

Japanese Angelica-Tree

Occasional1 obs.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia-creeper

Rare1 obs.

Erigeron philadelphicus

common fleabane

Rare1 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 32 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.