Murphy

Ecosystem Overview

The Murphy ecosystem supports 17 documented wildlife species across 17 taxonomic genera. Located in Cherokee County, North Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Cherokee County nearby has 80% more documented species, Murphy offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 4 Cherokee County County natural areas, placing it in the 50th 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

Common5 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 4 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Cherokee County

-80% 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 17 total documented species.

Lamium purpureum

Purple deadnettle

Very Common2 obs.

Psychomorpha epimenis

Grapevine Epimenis Moth

Very Common1 obs.

Hypochilus pococki

Very Common1 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common1 obs.

Leptogium cyanescens

Very Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Reynoutria japonica

Japanese Knotweed

Common1 obs.

Hibiscus moscheutos

mallow-rose

Common1 obs.

Veronica persica

common field-speedwell

Common1 obs.

Zonotrichia albicollis

white-throated sparrow

Common1 obs.

Pinus virginiana

poverty pine

Common1 obs.

Tipularia discolor

Occasional1 obs.

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud

Occasional1 obs.

Sedum ternatum

Woodland Stonecrop

Occasional1 obs.

Lindera benzoin

Wild Allspice

Occasional1 obs.

Agrilus planipennis

Emerald Ash Borer

Occasional1 obs.

Porpidia albocaerulescens

Smoky-Eye Boulder Lichen

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 Murphy. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-45%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Cherokee County

Importance: 0.40

85 species

-80% vs. current

Persimmon Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1600% vs. current

Andrews

Importance: 0.27

8 species

+113% 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 Cherokee 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

-45%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Cherokee County

Importance: 0.40

85 species

-80% vs. current

Persimmon Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1600% vs. current

Andrews

Importance: 0.27

8 species

+113% 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

Common5 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 4 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Cherokee County

-80% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 17 total documented species.

Lamium purpureum

Purple deadnettle

Very Common2 obs.

Psychomorpha epimenis

Grapevine Epimenis Moth

Very Common1 obs.

Hypochilus pococki

Very Common1 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Very Common1 obs.

Leptogium cyanescens

Very Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Reynoutria japonica

Japanese Knotweed

Common1 obs.

Hibiscus moscheutos

mallow-rose

Common1 obs.

Veronica persica

common field-speedwell

Common1 obs.

Zonotrichia albicollis

white-throated sparrow

Common1 obs.

Pinus virginiana

poverty pine

Common1 obs.

Tipularia discolor

Occasional1 obs.

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud

Occasional1 obs.

Sedum ternatum

Woodland Stonecrop

Occasional1 obs.

Lindera benzoin

Wild Allspice

Occasional1 obs.

Agrilus planipennis

Emerald Ash Borer

Occasional1 obs.

Porpidia albocaerulescens

Smoky-Eye Boulder Lichen

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 17 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.