Chaparral

Ecosystem Overview

The Chaparral ecosystem supports 39 documented wildlife species across 34 taxonomic genera. Located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 7 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Las Cruces nearby has 61% more documented species, Chaparral offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 13 Doña Ana County County natural areas, placing it in the 69th 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 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common12 species

Occasional12 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 13 locations

69th percentile for diversity

vs. Las Cruces

-61% 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 39 total documented species.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common154 obs.

Yucca elata

soaptree yucca

Very Common85 obs.

Sporobolus flexuosus

mesa dropseed

Very Common2 obs.

Cucurbita foetidissima

Missouri gourd

Very Common2 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Very Common2 obs.

Parkinsonia aculeata

Jerusalem thorn

Common2 obs.

Cylindropuntia imbricata

rope-pear

Common2 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Ephedra trifurca

longleaf joint-fir

Common1 obs.

Hilaria mutica

Common1 obs.

Bothriochloa barbinodis

cane bluestem

Common1 obs.

Aristida purpurea

purple threeawn grass

Occasional1 obs.

Aristida adscensionis

Sixweeks threeawn

Occasional1 obs.

Ibervillea tenuisecta

Occasional1 obs.

Tetraclea coulteri

Occasional1 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Occasional1 obs.

Lycium berlandieri

Berlandier wolfberry

Occasional1 obs.

Euphorbia serpillifolia

Thyme-Leaved Sandmat

Rare1 obs.

Euphorbia hyssopifolia

Hyssopleaf sandmat

Rare1 obs.

Euphorbia serrula

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Doña Ana County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Las Cruces

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-61% vs. current

Sunland Park

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+388% vs. current

Doña Ana County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-61% vs. current

Mesilla

Importance: 0.33

41 species

-5% vs. current

White Sands

Importance: 0.31

12 species

+225% vs. current

Hatch

Importance: 0.28

17 species

+129% vs. current

Santa Teresa

Importance: 0.27

3 species

+1200% vs. current

Vado

Importance: 0.27

2 species

+1850% 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 Doña Ana 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

+11%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Doña Ana County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Las Cruces

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-61% vs. current

Sunland Park

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+388% vs. current

Doña Ana County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-61% vs. current

Mesilla

Importance: 0.33

41 species

-5% vs. current

White Sands

Importance: 0.31

12 species

+225% vs. current

Hatch

Importance: 0.28

17 species

+129% vs. current

Santa Teresa

Importance: 0.27

3 species

+1200% vs. current

Vado

Importance: 0.27

2 species

+1850% 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 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common12 species

Occasional12 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 13 locations

69th percentile for diversity

vs. Las Cruces

-61% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 39 total documented species.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common154 obs.

Yucca elata

soaptree yucca

Very Common85 obs.

Sporobolus flexuosus

mesa dropseed

Very Common2 obs.

Cucurbita foetidissima

Missouri gourd

Very Common2 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Very Common2 obs.

Parkinsonia aculeata

Jerusalem thorn

Common2 obs.

Cylindropuntia imbricata

rope-pear

Common2 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Ephedra trifurca

longleaf joint-fir

Common1 obs.

Hilaria mutica

Common1 obs.

Bothriochloa barbinodis

cane bluestem

Common1 obs.

Aristida purpurea

purple threeawn grass

Occasional1 obs.

Aristida adscensionis

Sixweeks threeawn

Occasional1 obs.

Ibervillea tenuisecta

Occasional1 obs.

Tetraclea coulteri

Occasional1 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Occasional1 obs.

Lycium berlandieri

Berlandier wolfberry

Occasional1 obs.

Euphorbia serpillifolia

Thyme-Leaved Sandmat

Rare1 obs.

Euphorbia hyssopifolia

Hyssopleaf sandmat

Rare1 obs.

Euphorbia serrula

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 39 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.