Folly Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Folly Beach ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in Charleston County, South Carolina, 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. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 14 Charleston County County natural areas, placing it in the 71th 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 14 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 14 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Charleston County

0% 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.

Megathymus yuccae

Yucca Giant-Skipper

Very Common13 obs.

Ipomoea imperati

fiddle-leaf morning-glory

Very Common7 obs.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Very Common7 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common6 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Very Common6 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common6 obs.

Oenothera drummondii

coast evening-primrose

Common6 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common4 obs.

Persea borbonia

Redbay

Common3 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common3 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Common2 obs.

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

Occasional2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional2 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional2 obs.

Yucca gloriosa

Spanish-dagger

Occasional2 obs.

Panicum amarum

Bitter Panicum

Occasional2 obs.

Juniperus virginiana

Red Cedar Juniper

Occasional2 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Rare2 obs.

Calidris pusilla

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Rare2 obs.

Efferia albibarbis

Rare2 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 Folly Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+113%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Charleston County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Sullivan"s Island

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Isle Of Palms

Importance: 0.37

86 species

+16% vs. current

Upper Summerhouse Pond

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+900% vs. current

Toogoodoo River

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Alberta Sottile Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

McClellanville

Importance: 0.30

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Kiawah Island

Importance: 0.29

62 species

+61% 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

100

Species Count

+113%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Charleston County

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Sullivan"s Island

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Isle Of Palms

Importance: 0.37

86 species

+16% vs. current

Upper Summerhouse Pond

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+900% vs. current

Toogoodoo River

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Alberta Sottile Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

McClellanville

Importance: 0.30

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Kiawah Island

Importance: 0.29

62 species

+61% 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 14 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 14 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Charleston County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Megathymus yuccae

Yucca Giant-Skipper

Very Common13 obs.

Ipomoea imperati

fiddle-leaf morning-glory

Very Common7 obs.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Very Common7 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common6 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Very Common6 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common6 obs.

Oenothera drummondii

coast evening-primrose

Common6 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common4 obs.

Persea borbonia

Redbay

Common3 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common3 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Common2 obs.

Haematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher

Occasional2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional2 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional2 obs.

Yucca gloriosa

Spanish-dagger

Occasional2 obs.

Panicum amarum

Bitter Panicum

Occasional2 obs.

Juniperus virginiana

Red Cedar Juniper

Occasional2 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Rare2 obs.

Calidris pusilla

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Rare2 obs.

Efferia albibarbis

Rare2 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.