Lake Forest

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Forest ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 91 taxonomic genera. Located in Orange County, California, 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 #8 for species diversity among 73 Orange County County natural areas, placing it in the 89th 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 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 73 locations

89th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

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.

Sceloporus occidentalis

Pacific blue-bellied lizard

Very Common29 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common21 obs.

Phacelia parryi

Very Common18 obs.

Bombus melanopygus

Black Tail Bumble Bee

Very Common17 obs.

Ribes speciosum

fuchsia-flower gooseberry

Very Common12 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Common11 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Common10 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Common10 obs.

Carduus pycnocephalus

Italian plumeless thistle

Common10 obs.

Lysimachia arvensis

Poor Man'S Weatherglass

Common10 obs.

Datura wrightii

sacred thorn-apple

Common9 obs.

Hesperoyucca whipplei

chaparral yucca

Occasional9 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional9 obs.

Hylephila phyleus

Fiery Skipper

Occasional9 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Occasional9 obs.

Acmispon glaber

Occasional8 obs.

Marah macrocarpa

large-fruited manroot

Occasional8 obs.

Sanicula crassicaulis

western snakeroot

Rare8 obs.

Calystegia macrostegia

Rare8 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare8 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 Lake Forest. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+45% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% 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 Orange 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

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+45% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% 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 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 73 locations

89th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Sceloporus occidentalis

Pacific blue-bellied lizard

Very Common29 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common21 obs.

Phacelia parryi

Very Common18 obs.

Bombus melanopygus

Black Tail Bumble Bee

Very Common17 obs.

Ribes speciosum

fuchsia-flower gooseberry

Very Common12 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Common11 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Common10 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Common10 obs.

Carduus pycnocephalus

Italian plumeless thistle

Common10 obs.

Lysimachia arvensis

Poor Man'S Weatherglass

Common10 obs.

Datura wrightii

sacred thorn-apple

Common9 obs.

Hesperoyucca whipplei

chaparral yucca

Occasional9 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional9 obs.

Hylephila phyleus

Fiery Skipper

Occasional9 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Occasional9 obs.

Acmispon glaber

Occasional8 obs.

Marah macrocarpa

large-fruited manroot

Occasional8 obs.

Sanicula crassicaulis

western snakeroot

Rare8 obs.

Calystegia macrostegia

Rare8 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare8 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.