Sugar Mountain

Ecosystem Overview

The Sugar Mountain ecosystem supports 15 documented wildlife species across 15 taxonomic genera. Located in Avery County, North Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 2 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Avery County nearby has 85% more documented species, Sugar Mountain offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 4 Avery County County natural areas, placing it in the 25th 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 4 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common4 species

Occasional5 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 4 locations

25th percentile for diversity

vs. Avery County

-85% 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 15 total documented species.

Platycentropus radiatus

Very Common1 obs.

Salvelinus fontinalis

brook trout

Very Common1 obs.

Peltigera praetextata

Very Common1 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Very Common1 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

southern running-pine

Very Common1 obs.

Huperzia lucidula

shining fir-moss

Common1 obs.

Goodyera pubescens

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Common1 obs.

Fagus grandifolia

American Beech

Common1 obs.

Magnolia fraseri

mountain magnolia

Common1 obs.

Battus philenor

Pipevine Swallowtail

Common1 obs.

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern

Common1 obs.

Ptilium crista-castrensis

Ostrich-Plume Moss

Occasional1 obs.

Prunella vulgaris

selfheal

Occasional1 obs.

Erigeron pulchellus

Robin'S-Plantain

Occasional1 obs.

Hedera helix

ivy

Occasional1 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 Sugar Mountain. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-65%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 3 nearby locations in Avery County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Avery County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-85% vs. current

Banner Elk

Importance: 0.29

25 species

-40% vs. current

Newland

Importance: 0.29

3 species

+400% 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 Avery 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

-65%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 3 nearby locations in Avery County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Avery County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-85% vs. current

Banner Elk

Importance: 0.29

25 species

-40% vs. current

Newland

Importance: 0.29

3 species

+400% 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 4 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common4 species

Occasional5 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 4 locations

25th percentile for diversity

vs. Avery County

-85% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 15 total documented species.

Platycentropus radiatus

Very Common1 obs.

Salvelinus fontinalis

brook trout

Very Common1 obs.

Peltigera praetextata

Very Common1 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Very Common1 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

southern running-pine

Very Common1 obs.

Huperzia lucidula

shining fir-moss

Common1 obs.

Goodyera pubescens

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Common1 obs.

Fagus grandifolia

American Beech

Common1 obs.

Magnolia fraseri

mountain magnolia

Common1 obs.

Battus philenor

Pipevine Swallowtail

Common1 obs.

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern

Common1 obs.

Ptilium crista-castrensis

Ostrich-Plume Moss

Occasional1 obs.

Prunella vulgaris

selfheal

Occasional1 obs.

Erigeron pulchellus

Robin'S-Plantain

Occasional1 obs.

Hedera helix

ivy

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 15 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.