Des Moines

Ecosystem Overview

The Des Moines ecosystem supports 65 documented wildlife species across 59 taxonomic genera. Located in King County, Washington, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 14 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Seattle nearby has 35% more documented species, Des Moines offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #24 for species diversity among 98 King County County natural areas, placing it in the 76th 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 98 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common19 species

Occasional20 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 98 locations

76th percentile for diversity

vs. Seattle

-35% 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 65 total documented species.

Hemigrapsus oregonensis

yellow shore crab

Very Common3 obs.

Lysichiton americanus

American skunk cabbage

Very Common2 obs.

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Very Common2 obs.

Arbutus menziesii

Pacific madrone

Very Common2 obs.

Hemigrapsus nudus

purple shore crab

Very Common2 obs.

Bombus flavifrons

Yellow head bumble bee

Common2 obs.

Metridium senile

cloned plumose anemone

Common2 obs.

Polypodium glycyrrhiza

licorice fern

Common2 obs.

Phacellophora camtschatica

egg yolk jelly

Common2 obs.

Athyrium filix-femina

lady-fern

Common2 obs.

Chondracanthus exasperatus

Common2 obs.

Dendraster excentricus

eccentric sand dollar sea urchin

Occasional2 obs.

Balanus glandula

Occasional1 obs.

Eudioctria sackeni

Occasional1 obs.

Octopus rubescens

East Pacific red octopus

Occasional1 obs.

Pododesmus macrochisma

Alaska jingle

Occasional1 obs.

Anthopleura artemisia

moonglow anemone

Occasional1 obs.

Pugettia producta

Rare1 obs.

Telmessus cheiragonus

helmet crab

Rare1 obs.

Bombus mixtus

Fuzzy-horned Bumble Bee

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 Des Moines. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-35%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in King County County, Washington

Nearby Natural Areas

Seattle

Importance: 0.69

100 species

-35% vs. current

Bellevue

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-35% vs. current

King County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-35% vs. current

Renton

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-35% vs. current

Redmond

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-35% vs. current

Shoreline

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-35% vs. current

Issaquah

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-35% vs. current

Tukwila

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-35% 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 King 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

-35%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in King County County, Washington

Nearby Natural Areas

Seattle

Importance: 0.69

100 species

-35% vs. current

Bellevue

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-35% vs. current

King County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-35% vs. current

Renton

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-35% vs. current

Redmond

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-35% vs. current

Shoreline

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-35% vs. current

Issaquah

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-35% vs. current

Tukwila

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-35% 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

#24

Regional Rank

Out of 98 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common14 species

Common19 species

Occasional20 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#24 of 98 locations

76th percentile for diversity

vs. Seattle

-35% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 65 total documented species.

Hemigrapsus oregonensis

yellow shore crab

Very Common3 obs.

Lysichiton americanus

American skunk cabbage

Very Common2 obs.

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Very Common2 obs.

Arbutus menziesii

Pacific madrone

Very Common2 obs.

Hemigrapsus nudus

purple shore crab

Very Common2 obs.

Bombus flavifrons

Yellow head bumble bee

Common2 obs.

Metridium senile

cloned plumose anemone

Common2 obs.

Polypodium glycyrrhiza

licorice fern

Common2 obs.

Phacellophora camtschatica

egg yolk jelly

Common2 obs.

Athyrium filix-femina

lady-fern

Common2 obs.

Chondracanthus exasperatus

Common2 obs.

Dendraster excentricus

eccentric sand dollar sea urchin

Occasional2 obs.

Balanus glandula

Occasional1 obs.

Eudioctria sackeni

Occasional1 obs.

Octopus rubescens

East Pacific red octopus

Occasional1 obs.

Pododesmus macrochisma

Alaska jingle

Occasional1 obs.

Anthopleura artemisia

moonglow anemone

Occasional1 obs.

Pugettia producta

Rare1 obs.

Telmessus cheiragonus

helmet crab

Rare1 obs.

Bombus mixtus

Fuzzy-horned Bumble Bee

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 65 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.