Cave Fork Recreational Preserve

Ecosystem Overview

The Cave Fork Recreational Preserve ecosystem supports 59 documented wildlife species across 59 taxonomic genera. Located in Lee County, Kentucky, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 12 frequently observed species and 11 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Lee County nearby has 23% more documented species, Cave Fork Recreational Preserve offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #38 for species diversity among 100 Lee County County natural areas, placing it in the 62th 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

#38

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#38 of 100 locations

62th percentile for diversity

vs. Lee County

-23% 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 59 total documented species.

Aquilegia canadensis

Red-Bell

Very Common1.11 obs.

Smilax rotundifolia

Catbrier

Very Common0.68 obs.

Euonymus alatus

Burningbush

Very Common0.68 obs.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Very Common0.66 obs.

Styrax grandifolius

Big-Leaf Snowbell

Very Common0.6 obs.

Rhododendron maximum

Rosebay

Common0.37 obs.

Monotropa uniflora

Ghost Pipe

Common0.37 obs.

Amblyomma americanum

Lone Star Tick

Common0.36 obs.

Medeola virginiana

Indian Cucumber

Common0.36 obs.

Viola blanda

Sweet White Violet

Common0.36 obs.

Mitchella repens

Squawvine

Common0.35 obs.

Scincella lateralis

Ground Skink

Occasional0.29 obs.

Equisetum arvense

Scouringrush

Occasional0.27 obs.

Chimaphila maculata

Mottled Pipsissewa

Occasional0.26 obs.

Oxydendrum arboreum

Sourwood

Occasional0.25 obs.

Polygonia comma

Eastern Comma

Occasional0.23 obs.

Ilex opaca

White Holly

Occasional0.22 obs.

Stellaria pubera

Star Chickweed

Rare0.18 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

Holly Fern

Rare0.17 obs.

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Zigzag Aster

Rare0.17 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+55%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lee County County, Kentucky

Nearby Natural Areas

Lee County

Importance: 0.80

77 species

-23% vs. current

Beattyville

Importance: 0.70

22 species

+168% vs. current

Cliffview Recreational Preserve

Importance: 0.60

79 species

-25% vs. current

Miller Fork Recreational Preserve

Importance: 0.60

61 species

-3% vs. current

Pendergrass-murray Recreational Preserve

Importance: 0.60

41 species

+44% vs. current

Cathedral Domain

Importance: 0.60

10 species

+490% vs. current

Beattyville

Importance: 0.60

9 species

+556% vs. current

Ross Creek Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.60

1 species

+5800% 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 Lee 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

+55%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lee County County, Kentucky

Nearby Natural Areas

Lee County

Importance: 0.80

77 species

-23% vs. current

Beattyville

Importance: 0.70

22 species

+168% vs. current

Cliffview Recreational Preserve

Importance: 0.60

79 species

-25% vs. current

Miller Fork Recreational Preserve

Importance: 0.60

61 species

-3% vs. current

Pendergrass-murray Recreational Preserve

Importance: 0.60

41 species

+44% vs. current

Cathedral Domain

Importance: 0.60

10 species

+490% vs. current

Beattyville

Importance: 0.60

9 species

+556% vs. current

Ross Creek Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.60

1 species

+5800% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 59 total documented species.

Aquilegia canadensis

Red-Bell

Very Common1.11 obs.

Smilax rotundifolia

Catbrier

Very Common0.68 obs.

Euonymus alatus

Burningbush

Very Common0.68 obs.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Very Common0.66 obs.

Styrax grandifolius

Big-Leaf Snowbell

Very Common0.6 obs.

Rhododendron maximum

Rosebay

Common0.37 obs.

Monotropa uniflora

Ghost Pipe

Common0.37 obs.

Amblyomma americanum

Lone Star Tick

Common0.36 obs.

Medeola virginiana

Indian Cucumber

Common0.36 obs.

Viola blanda

Sweet White Violet

Common0.36 obs.

Mitchella repens

Squawvine

Common0.35 obs.

Scincella lateralis

Ground Skink

Occasional0.29 obs.

Equisetum arvense

Scouringrush

Occasional0.27 obs.

Chimaphila maculata

Mottled Pipsissewa

Occasional0.26 obs.

Oxydendrum arboreum

Sourwood

Occasional0.25 obs.

Polygonia comma

Eastern Comma

Occasional0.23 obs.

Ilex opaca

White Holly

Occasional0.22 obs.

Stellaria pubera

Star Chickweed

Rare0.18 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

Holly Fern

Rare0.17 obs.

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Zigzag Aster

Rare0.17 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 59 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.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#38

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common12 species

Common18 species

Occasional18 species

Rare11 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#38 of 100 locations

62th percentile for diversity

vs. Lee County

-23% species diversity