Santa Cruz Island

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Cruz Island ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 88 taxonomic genera. Located in Santa Barbara 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 #2 for species diversity among 12 Santa Barbara County County natural areas, placing it in the 83th 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 12 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Santa Barbara County

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.

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common264 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Very Common200 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Very Common169 obs.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common166 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Very Common139 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Common129 obs.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Common114 obs.

No image

Rhacochilus vacca

Pile Seaperch

Common94 obs.

Sebastes atrovirens

Kelp rockfish

Common90 obs.

Aphelocoma insularis

Island Scrub-Jay

Common55 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Common48 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Occasional47 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional40 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Occasional40 obs.

Patiria miniata

Occasional40 obs.

Ceanothus arboreus

Catalina mountain-lilac

Occasional35 obs.

Rhacochilus toxotes

Rubberlip seaperch

Occasional34 obs.

Eriogonum arborescens

Island buckwheat

Rare33 obs.

Sebastes serriceps

Treefish

Rare32 obs.

Neobernaya spadicea

chestnut cowrie

Rare30 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 Santa Cruz Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+150%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Santa Barbara County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Goleta

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Carpinteria

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Lake Cachuma

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Sutil Island

Importance: 0.33

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Guadalupe

Importance: 0.31

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Mission Hills

Importance: 0.31

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lompoc

Importance: 0.30

7 species

+1329% 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 Barbara 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

+150%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Santa Barbara County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

Goleta

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Carpinteria

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Lake Cachuma

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Sutil Island

Importance: 0.33

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Guadalupe

Importance: 0.31

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Mission Hills

Importance: 0.31

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lompoc

Importance: 0.30

7 species

+1329% 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 12 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Santa Barbara County

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 Common264 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Very Common200 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Very Common169 obs.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common166 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Very Common139 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Common129 obs.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Common114 obs.

No image

Rhacochilus vacca

Pile Seaperch

Common94 obs.

Sebastes atrovirens

Kelp rockfish

Common90 obs.

Aphelocoma insularis

Island Scrub-Jay

Common55 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Common48 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Occasional47 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional40 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Occasional40 obs.

Patiria miniata

Occasional40 obs.

Ceanothus arboreus

Catalina mountain-lilac

Occasional35 obs.

Rhacochilus toxotes

Rubberlip seaperch

Occasional34 obs.

Eriogonum arborescens

Island buckwheat

Rare33 obs.

Sebastes serriceps

Treefish

Rare32 obs.

Neobernaya spadicea

chestnut cowrie

Rare30 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.