Polk County

Ecosystem Overview

The Polk County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 95 taxonomic genera. Located in Polk County, Iowa, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Ankeny, Polk County hosts 186% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 13 Polk County County natural areas, placing it in the 92th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

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 Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 13 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Ankeny

+186% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill sunfish

Very Common20 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common14 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common14 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Very Common14 obs.

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Sleepingplant

Very Common10 obs.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Common8 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Common8 obs.

Glechoma hederacea

ground ivy

Common7 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common7 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common7 obs.

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

Common6 obs.

Asclepias incarnata

Pleurisy Root

Occasional6 obs.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green sunfish

Occasional6 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Occasional6 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Occasional5 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Occasional5 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Occasional5 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare5 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Rare5 obs.

Acris blanchardi

Blanchard's Cricket Frog

Rare4 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Polk County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Polk County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1329%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Iowa

Nearby Natural Areas

Ankeny

Importance: 0.43

35 species

+186% vs. current

Lake Future

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Gray's Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Easter Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Blue Heron Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Two-dam Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Copper Creek Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Johnston

Importance: 0.31

8 species

+1150% 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 Polk County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1329%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Iowa

Nearby Natural Areas

Ankeny

Importance: 0.43

35 species

+186% vs. current

Lake Future

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Gray's Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Easter Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Blue Heron Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Two-dam Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Copper Creek Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Johnston

Importance: 0.31

8 species

+1150% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

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 Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 13 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Ankeny

+186% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill sunfish

Very Common20 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common14 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common14 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Very Common14 obs.

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Sleepingplant

Very Common10 obs.

Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Common8 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Common8 obs.

Glechoma hederacea

ground ivy

Common7 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common7 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common7 obs.

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

Common6 obs.

Asclepias incarnata

Pleurisy Root

Occasional6 obs.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green sunfish

Occasional6 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Occasional6 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Occasional5 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Occasional5 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Occasional5 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare5 obs.

Sylvilagus floridanus

Lapin A Queue Blanche

Rare5 obs.

Acris blanchardi

Blanchard's Cricket Frog

Rare4 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.