Placitas

Ecosystem Overview

The Placitas ecosystem supports 31 documented wildlife species across 30 taxonomic genera. Located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, 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. While Sandoval County nearby has 69% more documented species, Placitas offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 11 Sandoval County County natural areas, placing it in the 82th 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 11 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. Sandoval County

-69% 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 31 total documented species.

Grusonia clavata

club cholla

Very Common5 obs.

Ephedra torreyana

Torrey Mormon Tea

Very Common2 obs.

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Silverleaf nightshade

Very Common2 obs.

Ericameria nauseosa

rubber rabbitbrush

Very Common2 obs.

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Very Common2 obs.

Melozone fusca

canyon towhee

Common2 obs.

Lygaeus kalmii

Common1 obs.

Platycryptus californicus

jumping spiders

Common1 obs.

Lepus californicus

Black-tailed Jack Rabbit

Common1 obs.

Crotaphytus collaris

Collared Lizard

Common1 obs.

Baeolophus ridgwayi

Juniper Titmouse

Common1 obs.

Nolina greenei

Occasional1 obs.

Eriastrum diffusum

Occasional1 obs.

Ipomopsis pumila

Occasional1 obs.

Fallugia paradoxa

apache-plume

Occasional1 obs.

Melampodium leucanthum

Occasional1 obs.

Berlandiera lyrata

chocolate-flower

Occasional1 obs.

Xanthisma spinulosum

spiny ironplant

Rare1 obs.

Giliastrum acerosum

bluebowls

Rare1 obs.

Salvadora grahamiae

Eastern Patch-nosed Snake

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 Placitas. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+63%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Sandoval County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Sandoval County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-69% vs. current

Bernalillo

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+72% vs. current

Jemez Pueblo

Importance: 0.30

6 species

+417% vs. current

Jemez Springs

Importance: 0.28

9 species

+244% vs. current

Santa Ana Pueblo

Importance: 0.27

16 species

+94% vs. current

San Felipe Pueblo

Importance: 0.27

1 species

+3000% vs. current

Cuba

Importance: 0.26

1 species

+3000% vs. current

San Ysidro

Importance: 0.25

1 species

+3000% 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 Sandoval 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

+63%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Sandoval County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Sandoval County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-69% vs. current

Bernalillo

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+72% vs. current

Jemez Pueblo

Importance: 0.30

6 species

+417% vs. current

Jemez Springs

Importance: 0.28

9 species

+244% vs. current

Santa Ana Pueblo

Importance: 0.27

16 species

+94% vs. current

San Felipe Pueblo

Importance: 0.27

1 species

+3000% vs. current

Cuba

Importance: 0.26

1 species

+3000% vs. current

San Ysidro

Importance: 0.25

1 species

+3000% 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 11 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. Sandoval County

-69% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 31 total documented species.

Grusonia clavata

club cholla

Very Common5 obs.

Ephedra torreyana

Torrey Mormon Tea

Very Common2 obs.

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Silverleaf nightshade

Very Common2 obs.

Ericameria nauseosa

rubber rabbitbrush

Very Common2 obs.

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Very Common2 obs.

Melozone fusca

canyon towhee

Common2 obs.

Lygaeus kalmii

Common1 obs.

Platycryptus californicus

jumping spiders

Common1 obs.

Lepus californicus

Black-tailed Jack Rabbit

Common1 obs.

Crotaphytus collaris

Collared Lizard

Common1 obs.

Baeolophus ridgwayi

Juniper Titmouse

Common1 obs.

Nolina greenei

Occasional1 obs.

Eriastrum diffusum

Occasional1 obs.

Ipomopsis pumila

Occasional1 obs.

Fallugia paradoxa

apache-plume

Occasional1 obs.

Melampodium leucanthum

Occasional1 obs.

Berlandiera lyrata

chocolate-flower

Occasional1 obs.

Xanthisma spinulosum

spiny ironplant

Rare1 obs.

Giliastrum acerosum

bluebowls

Rare1 obs.

Salvadora grahamiae

Eastern Patch-nosed Snake

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 31 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.