Grand Junction

Ecosystem Overview

The Grand Junction ecosystem supports 77 documented wildlife species across 71 taxonomic genera. Located in Mesa County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 16 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Mesa County nearby has 23% more documented species, Grand Junction offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 13 Mesa County County natural areas, placing it in the 85th 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

Regional Rank

Out of 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common23 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 13 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Mesa County

-23% 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 77 total documented species.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Very Common5 obs.

Blatta orientalis

common cockroach, oriental cockroach

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Very Common3 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common2 obs.

Ericameria nauseosa

rubber rabbitbrush

Very Common2 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Common2 obs.

Brephidium exilis

Western pygmy blue butterfly

Common2 obs.

Hyles lineata

White-lined sphinx

Common2 obs.

Halogeton glomeratus

Common2 obs.

Salsola tragus

Prickly Russian thistle

Common2 obs.

Lepidium perfoliatum

Clasping pepperweed

Common2 obs.

Rhus trilobata

Occasional2 obs.

Scytodes thoracica

Spitting Spider

Occasional2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional2 obs.

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Russian olive

Occasional2 obs.

Descurainia sophia

flixweed

Occasional2 obs.

Bombus huntii

Hunt bumble bee

Occasional1 obs.

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

western harvester ant

Rare1 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Rare1 obs.

Polyphylla decemlineata

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 Grand Junction. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+267%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mesa County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Mesa County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-23% vs. current

Fruita

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+185% vs. current

Jumbo Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+381% vs. current

MacK Mesa Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1183% vs. current

Vega Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2467% vs. current

Highline Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+7600% vs. current

Clifton

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+7600% vs. current

Palisade

Importance: 0.28

12 species

+542% 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 Mesa 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

+267%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mesa County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Mesa County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-23% vs. current

Fruita

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+185% vs. current

Jumbo Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+381% vs. current

MacK Mesa Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1183% vs. current

Vega Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2467% vs. current

Highline Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+7600% vs. current

Clifton

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+7600% vs. current

Palisade

Importance: 0.28

12 species

+542% 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

Regional Rank

Out of 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common23 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 13 locations

85th percentile for diversity

vs. Mesa County

-23% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 77 total documented species.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Very Common5 obs.

Blatta orientalis

common cockroach, oriental cockroach

Very Common4 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Very Common3 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common2 obs.

Ericameria nauseosa

rubber rabbitbrush

Very Common2 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Common2 obs.

Brephidium exilis

Western pygmy blue butterfly

Common2 obs.

Hyles lineata

White-lined sphinx

Common2 obs.

Halogeton glomeratus

Common2 obs.

Salsola tragus

Prickly Russian thistle

Common2 obs.

Lepidium perfoliatum

Clasping pepperweed

Common2 obs.

Rhus trilobata

Occasional2 obs.

Scytodes thoracica

Spitting Spider

Occasional2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Occasional2 obs.

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Russian olive

Occasional2 obs.

Descurainia sophia

flixweed

Occasional2 obs.

Bombus huntii

Hunt bumble bee

Occasional1 obs.

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

western harvester ant

Rare1 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Rare1 obs.

Polyphylla decemlineata

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 77 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.