Oak Island

Ecosystem Overview

The Oak Island ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 88 taxonomic genera. Located in Brunswick 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 16 Brunswick County County natural areas, placing it in the 88th 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 16 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 16 locations

88th percentile for diversity

vs. Brunswick County

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.

Smilax bona-nox

bullbrier

Very Common5 obs.

Smilax auriculata

wild bamboo

Very Common4 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Very Common3 obs.

Ipomoea sagittata

Saltmarsh Morning Glory

Very Common3 obs.

Heterotheca subaxillaris

Camphorweed

Very Common3 obs.

Quercus geminata

Sand Live Oak

Common3 obs.

Portulaca pilosa

Kiss me quick

Common3 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Common3 obs.

Quercus virginiana

Southern Live Oak

Common3 obs.

Rhus copallina

Black Sumac

Common3 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common3 obs.

Ilex vomitoria

yaupon

Occasional3 obs.

Cartrema americana

devilwood

Occasional3 obs.

Teucrium canadense

Wood Sage

Occasional3 obs.

Sesbania punicea

Rattlebox

Occasional2 obs.

Trichostema dichotomum

Forked Bluecurls

Occasional2 obs.

Quercus laevis

Turkey Oak

Occasional2 obs.

Quercus hemisphaerica

Darlington oak

Rare2 obs.

Mulinia lateralis

dwarf surfclam

Rare2 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Rare2 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 Oak Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+245%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Brunswick County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Brunswick County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

0% vs. current

Shallotte

Importance: 0.39

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Leland

Importance: 0.39

44 species

+127% vs. current

Holden Beach

Importance: 0.35

23 species

+335% vs. current

Orton Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Southport

Importance: 0.34

21 species

+376% vs. current

Calabash

Importance: 0.29

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Ocean Isle Beach

Importance: 0.28

37 species

+170% 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 Brunswick 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

+245%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Brunswick County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Brunswick County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

0% vs. current

Shallotte

Importance: 0.39

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Leland

Importance: 0.39

44 species

+127% vs. current

Holden Beach

Importance: 0.35

23 species

+335% vs. current

Orton Pond

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Southport

Importance: 0.34

21 species

+376% vs. current

Calabash

Importance: 0.29

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Ocean Isle Beach

Importance: 0.28

37 species

+170% 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 16 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 16 locations

88th percentile for diversity

vs. Brunswick County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Smilax bona-nox

bullbrier

Very Common5 obs.

Smilax auriculata

wild bamboo

Very Common4 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Very Common3 obs.

Ipomoea sagittata

Saltmarsh Morning Glory

Very Common3 obs.

Heterotheca subaxillaris

Camphorweed

Very Common3 obs.

Quercus geminata

Sand Live Oak

Common3 obs.

Portulaca pilosa

Kiss me quick

Common3 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Common3 obs.

Quercus virginiana

Southern Live Oak

Common3 obs.

Rhus copallina

Black Sumac

Common3 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common3 obs.

Ilex vomitoria

yaupon

Occasional3 obs.

Cartrema americana

devilwood

Occasional3 obs.

Teucrium canadense

Wood Sage

Occasional3 obs.

Sesbania punicea

Rattlebox

Occasional2 obs.

Trichostema dichotomum

Forked Bluecurls

Occasional2 obs.

Quercus laevis

Turkey Oak

Occasional2 obs.

Quercus hemisphaerica

Darlington oak

Rare2 obs.

Mulinia lateralis

dwarf surfclam

Rare2 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Rare2 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.