Scotts Valley

Ecosystem Overview

The Scotts Valley ecosystem supports 85 documented wildlife species across 76 taxonomic genera. Located in Santa Cruz County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 18 frequently observed species and 16 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Santa Cruz nearby has 15% more documented species, Scotts Valley offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 15 Santa Cruz 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 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species

Common25 species

Occasional26 species

Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 15 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Santa Cruz

-15% 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 85 total documented species.

Taraxia ovata

goldeneggs

Very Common8 obs.

Calandrinia menziesii

Very Common7 obs.

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Very Common3 obs.

Aesculus californica

California buckeye

Very Common3 obs.

Erodium cicutarium

Common Stork'S-Bill

Very Common3 obs.

Vicia sativa

Garden vetch

Common3 obs.

Sylvilagus bachmani

Brush Rabbit

Common3 obs.

Rubus ursinus

California blackberry

Common2 obs.

Arbutus menziesii

Pacific madrone

Common2 obs.

Brodiaea elegans

elegant cluster-lily

Common2 obs.

Calochortus albus

fairy-lantern

Common2 obs.

Stellaria media

Common chickweed

Occasional2 obs.

Actinemys marmorata

western pond turtle

Occasional2 obs.

Hypochaeris glabra

Flatweed

Occasional2 obs.

Trifolium subterraneum

subterranean clover

Occasional2 obs.

Viola ocellata

western heart's ease

Occasional2 obs.

Sidalcea malviflora

Greek Mallow

Occasional2 obs.

Trifolium hirtum

Rose Clover

Rare2 obs.

Batrachoseps attenuatus

California Slender Salamander

Rare2 obs.

Ariolimax dolichophallus

Slender banana slug

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 Scotts Valley. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+286%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Cruz County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Santa Cruz

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-15% vs. current

Antonelli Pond

Importance: 0.35

39 species

+118% vs. current

Schwan Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+325% vs. current

Two Moon Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1600% vs. current

Moran Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2025% vs. current

Duck Island Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2733% vs. current

Pinto Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2733% vs. current

Covered Bridge Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4150% 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 Santa Cruz 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

+286%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Cruz County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Santa Cruz

Importance: 0.51

100 species

-15% vs. current

Antonelli Pond

Importance: 0.35

39 species

+118% vs. current

Schwan Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+325% vs. current

Two Moon Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1600% vs. current

Moran Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2025% vs. current

Duck Island Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2733% vs. current

Pinto Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2733% vs. current

Covered Bridge Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4150% 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 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species

Common25 species

Occasional26 species

Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 15 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Santa Cruz

-15% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 85 total documented species.

Taraxia ovata

goldeneggs

Very Common8 obs.

Calandrinia menziesii

Very Common7 obs.

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Very Common3 obs.

Aesculus californica

California buckeye

Very Common3 obs.

Erodium cicutarium

Common Stork'S-Bill

Very Common3 obs.

Vicia sativa

Garden vetch

Common3 obs.

Sylvilagus bachmani

Brush Rabbit

Common3 obs.

Rubus ursinus

California blackberry

Common2 obs.

Arbutus menziesii

Pacific madrone

Common2 obs.

Brodiaea elegans

elegant cluster-lily

Common2 obs.

Calochortus albus

fairy-lantern

Common2 obs.

Stellaria media

Common chickweed

Occasional2 obs.

Actinemys marmorata

western pond turtle

Occasional2 obs.

Hypochaeris glabra

Flatweed

Occasional2 obs.

Trifolium subterraneum

subterranean clover

Occasional2 obs.

Viola ocellata

western heart's ease

Occasional2 obs.

Sidalcea malviflora

Greek Mallow

Occasional2 obs.

Trifolium hirtum

Rose Clover

Rare2 obs.

Batrachoseps attenuatus

California Slender Salamander

Rare2 obs.

Ariolimax dolichophallus

Slender banana slug

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 85 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.