Elk Garden

Ecosystem Overview

The Elk Garden ecosystem supports 17 documented wildlife species across 17 taxonomic genera. Located in Mineral County, West Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Mineral County nearby has 77% more documented species, Elk Garden offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #19 for species diversity among 100 Mineral County County natural areas, placing it in the 81th 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

#19

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common5 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#19 of 100 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Mineral County

-77% 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 17 total documented species.

Syringa vulgaris

Lilac

Very Common1 obs.

Geothlypis formosa

Kentucky Warbler

Very Common0.19 obs.

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras

Very Common0.12 obs.

Setophaga cerulea

Cerulean Warbler

Very Common0.11 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Scarole

Very Common0.1 obs.

Icterus spurius

Orchard Oriole

Common0.08 obs.

Leucobryum glaucum

Pincushion Moss

Common0.07 obs.

Gaultheria procumbens

Teaberry

Common0.07 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

White-Tailed Deer

Common0.07 obs.

Acer rubrum

Maple

Common0.06 obs.

Pteridium aquilinum

Brake

Common0.06 obs.

Robinia hispida

Moss Locust

Occasional0.06 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

Fan Clubmoss

Occasional0.06 obs.

Tsuga canadensis

Hemlock

Occasional0.06 obs.

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

Occasional0.05 obs.

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper Sparrow

Occasional0.05 obs.

Rubus occidentalis

Blackcap

Occasional0.03 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mineral County County, West Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Mineral County

Importance: 0.80

75 species

-77% vs. current

Allegheny Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-79% vs. current

Carpendale

Importance: 0.70

51 species

-67% vs. current

Ridgeley

Importance: 0.70

39 species

-56% vs. current

Keyser

Importance: 0.70

14 species

+21% vs. current

Piedmont

Importance: 0.70

6 species

+183% vs. current

Greater Cumberland Regional Airport

Importance: 0.60

54 species

-69% vs. current

Keyser

Importance: 0.60

6 species

+183% 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 Mineral 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

-59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mineral County County, West Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Mineral County

Importance: 0.80

75 species

-77% vs. current

Allegheny Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-79% vs. current

Carpendale

Importance: 0.70

51 species

-67% vs. current

Ridgeley

Importance: 0.70

39 species

-56% vs. current

Keyser

Importance: 0.70

14 species

+21% vs. current

Piedmont

Importance: 0.70

6 species

+183% vs. current

Greater Cumberland Regional Airport

Importance: 0.60

54 species

-69% vs. current

Keyser

Importance: 0.60

6 species

+183% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 17 total documented species.

Syringa vulgaris

Lilac

Very Common1 obs.

Geothlypis formosa

Kentucky Warbler

Very Common0.19 obs.

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras

Very Common0.12 obs.

Setophaga cerulea

Cerulean Warbler

Very Common0.11 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Scarole

Very Common0.1 obs.

Icterus spurius

Orchard Oriole

Common0.08 obs.

Leucobryum glaucum

Pincushion Moss

Common0.07 obs.

Gaultheria procumbens

Teaberry

Common0.07 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

White-Tailed Deer

Common0.07 obs.

Acer rubrum

Maple

Common0.06 obs.

Pteridium aquilinum

Brake

Common0.06 obs.

Robinia hispida

Moss Locust

Occasional0.06 obs.

Diphasiastrum digitatum

Fan Clubmoss

Occasional0.06 obs.

Tsuga canadensis

Hemlock

Occasional0.06 obs.

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

Occasional0.05 obs.

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper Sparrow

Occasional0.05 obs.

Rubus occidentalis

Blackcap

Occasional0.03 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 17 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.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#19

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common5 species

Occasional5 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#19 of 100 locations

81th percentile for diversity

vs. Mineral County

-77% species diversity