Kiawah Island

Ecosystem Overview

The Kiawah Island ecosystem supports 62 documented wildlife species across 58 taxonomic genera. Located in Charleston County, South Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Charleston County nearby has 38% more documented species, Kiawah Island offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #8 for species diversity among 14 Charleston County County natural areas, placing it in the 43th 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 14 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common19 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 14 locations

43th percentile for diversity

vs. Charleston County

-38% 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 62 total documented species.

Sideroxylon tenax

tough-buckthorn

Very Common3 obs.

Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird

Very Common2 obs.

Persea borbonia

Redbay

Very Common2 obs.

Passerina ciris

Painted Bunting

Very Common2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Very Common2 obs.

Croton punctatus

Beach-tea

Common2 obs.

Porzana carolina

Sora

Common1 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Common1 obs.

Gastrophryne carolinensis

Eastern Narrowmouth Toad

Common1 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common1 obs.

Calidris canutus

red knot

Common1 obs.

Urbanus proteus

Long-tailed Skipper

Occasional1 obs.

Rynchops niger

black skimmer

Occasional1 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Occasional1 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Occasional1 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional1 obs.

Hemiargus ceraunus

Ceraunus Blue

Occasional1 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Rare1 obs.

Toxomerus marginatus

Syrphid Fly

Rare1 obs.

Microbembex monodonta

Rare1 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 Kiawah Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Charleston County County, South Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Charleston County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-38% vs. current

Sullivan"s Island

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-38% vs. current

Isle Of Palms

Importance: 0.37

86 species

-28% vs. current

Upper Summerhouse Pond

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+520% vs. current

Toogoodoo River

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+589% vs. current

Alberta Sottile Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6100% vs. current

McClellanville

Importance: 0.30

4 species

+1450% vs. current

Awendaw

Importance: 0.29

2 species

+3000% 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 Charleston 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

+59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Charleston County County, South Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Charleston County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-38% vs. current

Sullivan"s Island

Importance: 0.37

100 species

-38% vs. current

Isle Of Palms

Importance: 0.37

86 species

-28% vs. current

Upper Summerhouse Pond

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+520% vs. current

Toogoodoo River

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+589% vs. current

Alberta Sottile Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+6100% vs. current

McClellanville

Importance: 0.30

4 species

+1450% vs. current

Awendaw

Importance: 0.29

2 species

+3000% 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 14 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common19 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 14 locations

43th percentile for diversity

vs. Charleston County

-38% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 62 total documented species.

Sideroxylon tenax

tough-buckthorn

Very Common3 obs.

Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird

Very Common2 obs.

Persea borbonia

Redbay

Very Common2 obs.

Passerina ciris

Painted Bunting

Very Common2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Very Common2 obs.

Croton punctatus

Beach-tea

Common2 obs.

Porzana carolina

Sora

Common1 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Common1 obs.

Gastrophryne carolinensis

Eastern Narrowmouth Toad

Common1 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common1 obs.

Calidris canutus

red knot

Common1 obs.

Urbanus proteus

Long-tailed Skipper

Occasional1 obs.

Rynchops niger

black skimmer

Occasional1 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Occasional1 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Occasional1 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional1 obs.

Hemiargus ceraunus

Ceraunus Blue

Occasional1 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Rare1 obs.

Toxomerus marginatus

Syrphid Fly

Rare1 obs.

Microbembex monodonta

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 62 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.