Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Ecosystem Overview

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough ecosystem supports 77 documented wildlife species across 72 taxonomic genera. Located in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, 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 Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness nearby has 3% more documented species, Ketchikan Gateway Borough offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #22 for species diversity among 100 Ketchikan Gateway Borough County natural areas, placing it in the 78th 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

#22

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common23 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#22 of 100 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

-3% 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.

Megaptera novaeangliae

Hump

Very Common156.48 obs.

No image

Primnoa pacifica

Red Tree Coral

Very Common48.97 obs.

No image

Bathypathes alaskensis

Very Common46.63 obs.

No image

Auletta krautteri

Very Common46 obs.

Rubus spectabilis

Salmonberry

Very Common22 obs.

Lysichiton americanus

Skunk Cabbage

Common15 obs.

Ariolimax columbianus

Pacific Banana Slug

Common10 obs.

Gaultheria shallon

Shallon

Common8 obs.

Tsuga heterophylla

Pacific Hemlock

Common8 obs.

Cyanea ferruginea

Common8 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

Ochre Stars

Common8 obs.

Oplopanax horridus

Devil'S Club

Occasional7 obs.

Struthiopteris spicant

Deer Fern

Occasional7 obs.

Orgyia antiqua

Moth

Occasional7 obs.

Malacocottus zonurus

Bartail Sculpin

Occasional6.38 obs.

Hylocomium splendens

Stairstep Moss

Occasional6 obs.

Fulmarus glacialis

Fulmar

Occasional6 obs.

Picea sitchensis

Sitka Spruce

Rare6 obs.

Cornus canadensis

Bunchberry

Rare5 obs.

Thuja plicata

Canoe Cedar

Rare5 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+26%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ketchikan Gateway Borough County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Importance: 0.70

79 species

-3% vs. current

Ketchikan

Importance: 0.70

71 species

+8% vs. current

Ketchikan

Importance: 0.70

58 species

+33% vs. current

Saxman

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+40% vs. current

Ketchikan International Airport

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.60

63 species

+22% vs. current

Ward Lake Recreation Area

Importance: 0.60

51 species

+51% vs. current

U. S. Coast Guard - Base Ketchikan

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.50

58 species

+33% vs. current

Peninsula Point

Importance: 0.50

56 species

+38% 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough 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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Most Common Species

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

Megaptera novaeangliae

Hump

Very Common156.48 obs.

No image

Primnoa pacifica

Red Tree Coral

Very Common48.97 obs.

No image

Bathypathes alaskensis

Very Common46.63 obs.

No image

Auletta krautteri

Very Common46 obs.

Rubus spectabilis

Salmonberry

Very Common22 obs.

Lysichiton americanus

Skunk Cabbage

Common15 obs.

Ariolimax columbianus

Pacific Banana Slug

Common10 obs.

Gaultheria shallon

Shallon

Common8 obs.

Tsuga heterophylla

Pacific Hemlock

Common8 obs.

Cyanea ferruginea

Common8 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

Ochre Stars

Common8 obs.

Oplopanax horridus

Devil'S Club

Occasional7 obs.

Struthiopteris spicant

Deer Fern

Occasional7 obs.

Orgyia antiqua

Moth

Occasional7 obs.

Malacocottus zonurus

Bartail Sculpin

Occasional6.38 obs.

Hylocomium splendens

Stairstep Moss

Occasional6 obs.

Fulmarus glacialis

Fulmar

Occasional6 obs.

Picea sitchensis

Sitka Spruce

Rare6 obs.

Cornus canadensis

Bunchberry

Rare5 obs.

Thuja plicata

Canoe Cedar

Rare5 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.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+26%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ketchikan Gateway Borough County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Importance: 0.70

79 species

-3% vs. current

Ketchikan

Importance: 0.70

71 species

+8% vs. current

Ketchikan

Importance: 0.70

58 species

+33% vs. current

Saxman

Importance: 0.70

55 species

+40% vs. current

Ketchikan International Airport

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.60

63 species

+22% vs. current

Ward Lake Recreation Area

Importance: 0.60

51 species

+51% vs. current

U. S. Coast Guard - Base Ketchikan

in Ketchikan

Importance: 0.50

58 species

+33% vs. current

Peninsula Point

Importance: 0.50

56 species

+38% 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

#22

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common23 species

Occasional23 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#22 of 100 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

-3% species diversity