Rancho Palos Verdes

Ecosystem Overview

The Rancho Palos Verdes ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 81 taxonomic genera. Located in Los Angeles 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 #13 for species diversity among 132 Los Angeles County County natural areas, placing it in the 90th 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

#13

Regional Rank

Out of 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#13 of 132 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Pasadena

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

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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.

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,530 obs.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Very Common1,517 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Very Common1,197 obs.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common998 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Very Common972 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Common696 obs.

Paralabrax nebulifer

Sand bass

Common532 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Common479 obs.

Girella nigricans

Opaleye

Common279 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Common255 obs.

Sebastes atrovirens

Kelp rockfish

Common237 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional223 obs.

Kelletia kelletii

Occasional209 obs.

No image

Hypsurus caryi

Occasional203 obs.

Patiria miniata

Occasional143 obs.

No image

Rhacochilus vacca

Pile Seaperch

Occasional128 obs.

Neobernaya spadicea

chestnut cowrie

Occasional100 obs.

No image

Apostichopus parvimensis

Warty Sea Cucumber

Rare99 obs.

Pisaster giganteus

Rare97 obs.

Anisotremus davidsonii

Sargo

Rare96 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 Rancho Palos Verdes. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+12%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Los Angeles County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Pasadena

Importance: 0.58

100 species

0% vs. current

Long Beach

Importance: 0.57

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Monica

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Burbank

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Los Angeles County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Beverly Hills

Importance: 0.52

15 species

+567% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Malibu

Importance: 0.52

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 Los Angeles 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

+12%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Los Angeles County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Pasadena

Importance: 0.58

100 species

0% vs. current

Long Beach

Importance: 0.57

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Monica

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Burbank

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Los Angeles County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Beverly Hills

Importance: 0.52

15 species

+567% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Malibu

Importance: 0.52

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

#13

Regional Rank

Out of 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#13 of 132 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Pasadena

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,530 obs.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Very Common1,517 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Very Common1,197 obs.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common998 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Very Common972 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Common696 obs.

Paralabrax nebulifer

Sand bass

Common532 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Common479 obs.

Girella nigricans

Opaleye

Common279 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Common255 obs.

Sebastes atrovirens

Kelp rockfish

Common237 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional223 obs.

Kelletia kelletii

Occasional209 obs.

No image

Hypsurus caryi

Occasional203 obs.

Patiria miniata

Occasional143 obs.

No image

Rhacochilus vacca

Pile Seaperch

Occasional128 obs.

Neobernaya spadicea

chestnut cowrie

Occasional100 obs.

No image

Apostichopus parvimensis

Warty Sea Cucumber

Rare99 obs.

Pisaster giganteus

Rare97 obs.

Anisotremus davidsonii

Sargo

Rare96 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.