Lake Whelchel

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Whelchel ecosystem supports 27 documented wildlife species across 27 taxonomic genera. Located in Cherokee County, South Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 6 frequently observed species and 5 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Gaffney, Lake Whelchel hosts 0% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 2 Cherokee County County natural areas, placing it in the 0th 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 2 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional8 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 2 locations

0th percentile for diversity

vs. Gaffney

+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 27 total documented species.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Very Common2 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Very Common1 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Very Common1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common1 obs.

Strix varia

barred owl

Very Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Common1 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

southern running-pine

Common1 obs.

Arisaema triphyllum

Indian-turnip

Common1 obs.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain-Laurel

Common1 obs.

Chimaphila maculata

Spotted Pipsissewa

Common1 obs.

Daucus carota

wild carrot

Occasional1 obs.

Dianthus armeria

deptford pink

Occasional1 obs.

Ligustrum sinense

Chinese privet

Occasional1 obs.

Argia apicalis

Blue-fronted Dancer

Occasional1 obs.

Calopteryx maculata

Ebony Jewelwing

Occasional1 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Occasional1 obs.

Tyrannus tyrannus

Eastern Kingbird

Rare1 obs.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Puccoon-Root

Rare1 obs.

Houstonia longifolia

Longleaf Summer Bluet

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 Lake Whelchel. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Lake Whelchel. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 1 nearby locations in Cherokee County County, South Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Cherokee County

Importance: 0.37

69 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 Cherokee 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

-61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 1 nearby locations in Cherokee County County, South Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Cherokee County

Importance: 0.37

69 species

-61% 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 2 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional8 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 2 locations

0th percentile for diversity

vs. Gaffney

+0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 27 total documented species.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Very Common2 obs.

Tamias striatus

eastern chipmunk

Very Common1 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Very Common1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common1 obs.

Strix varia

barred owl

Very Common1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Common1 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Common1 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

southern running-pine

Common1 obs.

Arisaema triphyllum

Indian-turnip

Common1 obs.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain-Laurel

Common1 obs.

Chimaphila maculata

Spotted Pipsissewa

Common1 obs.

Daucus carota

wild carrot

Occasional1 obs.

Dianthus armeria

deptford pink

Occasional1 obs.

Ligustrum sinense

Chinese privet

Occasional1 obs.

Argia apicalis

Blue-fronted Dancer

Occasional1 obs.

Calopteryx maculata

Ebony Jewelwing

Occasional1 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Occasional1 obs.

Tyrannus tyrannus

Eastern Kingbird

Rare1 obs.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Puccoon-Root

Rare1 obs.

Houstonia longifolia

Longleaf Summer Bluet

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 27 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.