Wrightsville Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Wrightsville Beach ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 96 taxonomic genera. Located in New Hanover County, North Carolina, 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. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 9 New Hanover County County natural areas, placing it in the 78th 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 9 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 9 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Wilmington

0% 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 100 total documented species.

Chione elevata

Very Common16 obs.

Lunarca ovalis

Blood Ark

Very Common14 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common9 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Very Common8 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Very Common7 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common7 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common6 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Common6 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common6 obs.

Mercenaria mercenaria

hard shell

Common4 obs.

Cyanea versicolor

Common4 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Occasional4 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional4 obs.

Pagurus longicarpus

Long-Clawed Hermit Crab

Occasional3 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional3 obs.

Corbula dietziana

Occasional3 obs.

Glycymeris spectralis

Occasional3 obs.

Argopecten gibbus

Calico scallop

Rare3 obs.

Emerita talpoida

Mole Crab

Rare3 obs.

Ocypode quadrata

Atlantic ghost crab

Rare3 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 Wrightsville Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+104%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in New Hanover County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Wilmington

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

New Hanover County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

0% vs. current

Wetlands High Water Marks

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+203% vs. current

Carolina Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Nhc Arboretum Koi Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Leutze Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Carolina Beach

Importance: 0.29

69 species

+45% vs. current

Kure Beach

Importance: 0.26

76 species

+32% 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 New Hanover 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

100

Species Count

+104%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in New Hanover County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Wilmington

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

New Hanover County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

0% vs. current

Wetlands High Water Marks

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+203% vs. current

Carolina Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Nhc Arboretum Koi Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Leutze Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Carolina Beach

Importance: 0.29

69 species

+45% vs. current

Kure Beach

Importance: 0.26

76 species

+32% 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 9 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 9 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Wilmington

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Chione elevata

Very Common16 obs.

Lunarca ovalis

Blood Ark

Very Common14 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common9 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Very Common8 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Very Common7 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common7 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common6 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Common6 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common6 obs.

Mercenaria mercenaria

hard shell

Common4 obs.

Cyanea versicolor

Common4 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Occasional4 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional4 obs.

Pagurus longicarpus

Long-Clawed Hermit Crab

Occasional3 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional3 obs.

Corbula dietziana

Occasional3 obs.

Glycymeris spectralis

Occasional3 obs.

Argopecten gibbus

Calico scallop

Rare3 obs.

Emerita talpoida

Mole Crab

Rare3 obs.

Ocypode quadrata

Atlantic ghost crab

Rare3 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.