Jefferson Parish

Ecosystem Overview

The Jefferson Parish ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 87 taxonomic genera. Located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, 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 Metairie, Jefferson Parish hosts 59% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 12 Jefferson Parish County natural areas, placing it in the 92th 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 12 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Metairie

+59% 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.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common36 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Very Common33 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Very Common28 obs.

Lithobates clamitans

Green Frog

Very Common27 obs.

Sabal minor

bush palmetto

Very Common27 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Common22 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Common22 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common20 obs.

Cirsium horridulum

Bristly Thistle

Common19 obs.

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Tree Duck

Common18 obs.

Romalea microptera

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

Common17 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Occasional17 obs.

Pontederia crassipes

Occasional16 obs.

Taxodium distichum

bald-cypress

Occasional15 obs.

Pontederia cordata

pickerelweed

Occasional14 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Occasional14 obs.

Nerodia fasciata

Southern Water Snake

Occasional14 obs.

Morella cerifera

Wax myrtle

Rare14 obs.

Triadica sebifera

Chinese tallow

Rare13 obs.

Thamnophis proximus

Western Ribbonsnake

Rare12 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 Jefferson Parish. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+223%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Jefferson Parish County, Louisiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Metairie

Importance: 0.45

63 species

+59% vs. current

Marrero

Importance: 0.39

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Grand Isle

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Gretna

Importance: 0.34

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Queen Bess Island

Importance: 0.33

10 species

+900% vs. current

Harahan

Importance: 0.30

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Jefferson

Importance: 0.28

62 species

+61% vs. current

Barataria

Importance: 0.27

9 species

+1011% 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 Jefferson Parish 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

+223%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Jefferson Parish County, Louisiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Metairie

Importance: 0.45

63 species

+59% vs. current

Marrero

Importance: 0.39

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Grand Isle

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Gretna

Importance: 0.34

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Queen Bess Island

Importance: 0.33

10 species

+900% vs. current

Harahan

Importance: 0.30

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Jefferson

Importance: 0.28

62 species

+61% vs. current

Barataria

Importance: 0.27

9 species

+1011% 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 12 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Metairie

+59% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common36 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Very Common33 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Very Common28 obs.

Lithobates clamitans

Green Frog

Very Common27 obs.

Sabal minor

bush palmetto

Very Common27 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Common22 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Common22 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common20 obs.

Cirsium horridulum

Bristly Thistle

Common19 obs.

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Tree Duck

Common18 obs.

Romalea microptera

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

Common17 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Occasional17 obs.

Pontederia crassipes

Occasional16 obs.

Taxodium distichum

bald-cypress

Occasional15 obs.

Pontederia cordata

pickerelweed

Occasional14 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Occasional14 obs.

Nerodia fasciata

Southern Water Snake

Occasional14 obs.

Morella cerifera

Wax myrtle

Rare14 obs.

Triadica sebifera

Chinese tallow

Rare13 obs.

Thamnophis proximus

Western Ribbonsnake

Rare12 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.