Rutherford County

Ecosystem Overview

The Rutherford County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 93 taxonomic genera. Located in Rutherford County, North Carolina, 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. Compared to nearby Forest Lake, Rutherford County hosts 0% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 6 Rutherford 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 6 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 6 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Forest Lake

+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.

Dryopteris marginalis

Woodfern

Very Common3 obs.

Onoclea sensibilis

Polypod Brake

Very Common3 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Very Common2 obs.

Calycanthus floridus

Strawberry-Shrub

Very Common2 obs.

Galax urceolata

Very Common2 obs.

Gillenia trifoliata

mountain Indian-physic

Common2 obs.

Rudbeckia hirta

Blackeyed Susan

Common2 obs.

Tsuga caroliniana

Carolina hemlock

Common2 obs.

Trillium catesbaei

Catesby’s Trillium

Common2 obs.

Viola canadensis

Canada violet

Common2 obs.

Parthenium integrifolium

Missouri snakeroot

Common2 obs.

Cunila origanoides

stone-mint

Occasional2 obs.

Persicaria sagittata

Arrowleaf Tearthumb

Occasional2 obs.

Symplocos tinctoria

yellowwood

Occasional2 obs.

Adelges tsugae

hemlock woolly adelgid

Occasional1 obs.

Nemoria bistriaria

Red-Fringed Emerald Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Chlosyne nycteis

Silvery Checkerspot

Occasional1 obs.

Melanoplus punctulatus

Pine-Tree Spur-Throat Grasshopper

Rare1 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Rare1 obs.

Alaus oculatus

Rare1 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 Rutherford County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 5 nearby locations in Rutherford County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Rutherfordton

Importance: 0.32

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Forest City

Importance: 0.30

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Lake Lure

Importance: 0.25

38 species

+163% vs. current

Chimney Rock

Importance: 0.22

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Hickory Nut Lower Lake

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+1900% 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 Rutherford 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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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 5 nearby locations in Rutherford County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Rutherfordton

Importance: 0.32

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Forest City

Importance: 0.30

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Lake Lure

Importance: 0.25

38 species

+163% vs. current

Chimney Rock

Importance: 0.22

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Hickory Nut Lower Lake

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+1900% 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 6 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 6 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Forest Lake

+0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Dryopteris marginalis

Woodfern

Very Common3 obs.

Onoclea sensibilis

Polypod Brake

Very Common3 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Very Common2 obs.

Calycanthus floridus

Strawberry-Shrub

Very Common2 obs.

Galax urceolata

Very Common2 obs.

Gillenia trifoliata

mountain Indian-physic

Common2 obs.

Rudbeckia hirta

Blackeyed Susan

Common2 obs.

Tsuga caroliniana

Carolina hemlock

Common2 obs.

Trillium catesbaei

Catesby’s Trillium

Common2 obs.

Viola canadensis

Canada violet

Common2 obs.

Parthenium integrifolium

Missouri snakeroot

Common2 obs.

Cunila origanoides

stone-mint

Occasional2 obs.

Persicaria sagittata

Arrowleaf Tearthumb

Occasional2 obs.

Symplocos tinctoria

yellowwood

Occasional2 obs.

Adelges tsugae

hemlock woolly adelgid

Occasional1 obs.

Nemoria bistriaria

Red-Fringed Emerald Moth

Occasional1 obs.

Chlosyne nycteis

Silvery Checkerspot

Occasional1 obs.

Melanoplus punctulatus

Pine-Tree Spur-Throat Grasshopper

Rare1 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Rare1 obs.

Alaus oculatus

Rare1 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.