Houston County

Ecosystem Overview

The Houston County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in Houston County, Minnesota, 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 Blue Lake, Houston County hosts 0% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 4 Houston County County natural areas, placing it in the 75th 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 4 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 4 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Blue Lake

+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.

Cygnus columbianus

whistling swan

Very Common9 obs.

Mareca strepera

Gadwall

Very Common7 obs.

Anas acuta

pintail, northern pintail

Very Common6 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Very Common5 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Very Common5 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Common4 obs.

Anas crecca

teal, common teal

Common4 obs.

Hepatica acutiloba

sharp-lobed liverleaf

Common4 obs.

Ranunculus rhomboideus

prairie buttercup

Common3 obs.

Pyrola elliptica

Wax-Flowered Shinleaf

Common3 obs.

Goodyera pubescens

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Common3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional3 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Occasional3 obs.

Carya ovata

shagbark hickory

Occasional3 obs.

Pellaea glabella

Occasional3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional3 obs.

Claytonia virginica

Eastern Springbeauty

Occasional3 obs.

Salmo trutta

River Trout

Rare3 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Rare3 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Rare3 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 Houston County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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

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$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+4900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 3 nearby locations in Houston County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Caledonia

Importance: 0.29

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Houston

Importance: 0.28

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Middle Slough

Importance: 0.10

2 species

+4900% 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 Houston 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

+4900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 3 nearby locations in Houston County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Caledonia

Importance: 0.29

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Houston

Importance: 0.28

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Middle Slough

Importance: 0.10

2 species

+4900% 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 4 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 4 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Blue Lake

+0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Cygnus columbianus

whistling swan

Very Common9 obs.

Mareca strepera

Gadwall

Very Common7 obs.

Anas acuta

pintail, northern pintail

Very Common6 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Very Common5 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Very Common5 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Common4 obs.

Anas crecca

teal, common teal

Common4 obs.

Hepatica acutiloba

sharp-lobed liverleaf

Common4 obs.

Ranunculus rhomboideus

prairie buttercup

Common3 obs.

Pyrola elliptica

Wax-Flowered Shinleaf

Common3 obs.

Goodyera pubescens

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Common3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional3 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Occasional3 obs.

Carya ovata

shagbark hickory

Occasional3 obs.

Pellaea glabella

Occasional3 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional3 obs.

Claytonia virginica

Eastern Springbeauty

Occasional3 obs.

Salmo trutta

River Trout

Rare3 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Rare3 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

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.