Banner Elk

Ecosystem Overview

The Banner Elk ecosystem supports 25 documented wildlife species across 25 taxonomic genera. Located in Avery County, North Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 6 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Avery County nearby has 75% more documented species, Banner Elk offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 4 Avery 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 Common6 species

Common7 species

Occasional8 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 4 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Avery County

-75% 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 25 total documented species.

Otiorhynchus sulcatus

black vine weevil

Very Common1 obs.

Melanoplus punctulatus

Pine-Tree Spur-Throat Grasshopper

Very Common1 obs.

Oecanthus niveus

narrow-winged tree cricket

Very Common1 obs.

Tetanolita mynesalis

Smoky Tetanolita Moth

Very Common1 obs.

Machimia tentoriferella

Very Common1 obs.

Pyrausta acrionalis

Mint-Loving Pyrausta Moth

Common1 obs.

Cosmopepla lintneriana

Twice-Stabbed Stink Bug

Common1 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Common1 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Common1 obs.

Polytrichum commune

Common Haircap Moss

Common1 obs.

Abies fraseri

Fraser Fir

Common1 obs.

Oxydendrum arboreum

sourwood

Occasional1 obs.

Solanum carolinense

Apple-Of-Sodom

Occasional1 obs.

Erechtites hieraciifolius

American Fireweed

Occasional1 obs.

Celastrus orbiculatus

Asian Bittersweet

Occasional1 obs.

Orgyia definita

Definite Tussock Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Limenitis archippus

Viceroy

Occasional1 obs.

Leptoglossus occidentalis

Western Conifer-Seed Bug

Rare1 obs.

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern

Rare1 obs.

Betula alleghaniensis

swamp birch

Rare1 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 Banner Elk. 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 Banner Elk. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-36%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Avery County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-75% vs. current

Newland

Importance: 0.29

3 species

+733% vs. current

Sugar Mountain

Importance: 0.24

15 species

+67% 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 Avery 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

-36%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Avery County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-75% vs. current

Newland

Importance: 0.29

3 species

+733% vs. current

Sugar Mountain

Importance: 0.24

15 species

+67% 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 Common6 species

Common7 species

Occasional8 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 4 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Avery County

-75% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 25 total documented species.

Otiorhynchus sulcatus

black vine weevil

Very Common1 obs.

Melanoplus punctulatus

Pine-Tree Spur-Throat Grasshopper

Very Common1 obs.

Oecanthus niveus

narrow-winged tree cricket

Very Common1 obs.

Tetanolita mynesalis

Smoky Tetanolita Moth

Very Common1 obs.

Machimia tentoriferella

Very Common1 obs.

Pyrausta acrionalis

Mint-Loving Pyrausta Moth

Common1 obs.

Cosmopepla lintneriana

Twice-Stabbed Stink Bug

Common1 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Common1 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Common1 obs.

Polytrichum commune

Common Haircap Moss

Common1 obs.

Abies fraseri

Fraser Fir

Common1 obs.

Oxydendrum arboreum

sourwood

Occasional1 obs.

Solanum carolinense

Apple-Of-Sodom

Occasional1 obs.

Erechtites hieraciifolius

American Fireweed

Occasional1 obs.

Celastrus orbiculatus

Asian Bittersweet

Occasional1 obs.

Orgyia definita

Definite Tussock Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Limenitis archippus

Viceroy

Occasional1 obs.

Leptoglossus occidentalis

Western Conifer-Seed Bug

Rare1 obs.

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern

Rare1 obs.

Betula alleghaniensis

swamp birch

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 25 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.