Back Mountain

Ecosystem Overview

The Back Mountain ecosystem supports 50 documented wildlife species across 46 taxonomic genera. Located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 11 frequently observed species and 9 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Wilkes-Barre nearby has 50% more documented species, Back Mountain offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 20 Luzerne County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th 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 20 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 20 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Wilkes-Barre

-50% 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 50 total documented species.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Very Common3 obs.

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern

Very Common2 obs.

Tsuga canadensis

Canada Hemlock

Very Common2 obs.

Potamogeton crispus

curled pondweed

Very Common2 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Very Common2 obs.

Schizomyia racemicola

Common2 obs.

Anthoxanthum odoratum

sweet vernal-grass

Common2 obs.

Chelone glabra

turtlehead

Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common1 obs.

Lophocampa caryae

Hickory Tussock Moth

Common1 obs.

Pyrrharctia isabella

Isabella Tiger Moth

Common1 obs.

Arisaema triphyllum

Indian-turnip

Occasional1 obs.

Phyllocnistis vitegenella

Occasional1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Occasional1 obs.

Onoclea sensibilis

Polypod Brake

Occasional1 obs.

Daedaleopsis confragosa

Thin-Walled Maze Polypore

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Dichanthelium clandestinum

Hidden Panicgrass

Rare1 obs.

Chortophaga viridifasciata

Greenstriped Grasshopper

Rare1 obs.

Liriomyza galiivora

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 Back Mountain. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+6%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Luzerne County County, Pennsylvania

Nearby Natural Areas

Wilkes-barre

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-50% vs. current

Luzerne County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-50% vs. current

Hazleton

Importance: 0.44

5 species

+900% vs. current

Kingston

Importance: 0.43

27 species

+85% vs. current

Pittston

Importance: 0.38

93 species

-46% vs. current

Avoca

Importance: 0.33

2 species

+2400% vs. current

West Pittston

Importance: 0.33

18 species

+178% vs. current

Wyoming

Importance: 0.33

34 species

+47% 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 Luzerne 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

+6%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Luzerne County County, Pennsylvania

Nearby Natural Areas

Wilkes-barre

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-50% vs. current

Luzerne County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-50% vs. current

Hazleton

Importance: 0.44

5 species

+900% vs. current

Kingston

Importance: 0.43

27 species

+85% vs. current

Pittston

Importance: 0.38

93 species

-46% vs. current

Avoca

Importance: 0.33

2 species

+2400% vs. current

West Pittston

Importance: 0.33

18 species

+178% vs. current

Wyoming

Importance: 0.33

34 species

+47% 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 20 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 20 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Wilkes-Barre

-50% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 50 total documented species.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Very Common3 obs.

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern

Very Common2 obs.

Tsuga canadensis

Canada Hemlock

Very Common2 obs.

Potamogeton crispus

curled pondweed

Very Common2 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Very Common2 obs.

Schizomyia racemicola

Common2 obs.

Anthoxanthum odoratum

sweet vernal-grass

Common2 obs.

Chelone glabra

turtlehead

Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Common1 obs.

Lophocampa caryae

Hickory Tussock Moth

Common1 obs.

Pyrrharctia isabella

Isabella Tiger Moth

Common1 obs.

Arisaema triphyllum

Indian-turnip

Occasional1 obs.

Phyllocnistis vitegenella

Occasional1 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Occasional1 obs.

Onoclea sensibilis

Polypod Brake

Occasional1 obs.

Daedaleopsis confragosa

Thin-Walled Maze Polypore

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Dichanthelium clandestinum

Hidden Panicgrass

Rare1 obs.

Chortophaga viridifasciata

Greenstriped Grasshopper

Rare1 obs.

Liriomyza galiivora

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 50 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.