Anchorage

Ecosystem Overview

The Anchorage ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 85 taxonomic genera. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, 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 University Lake, Anchorage hosts 733% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 11 Anchorage County natural areas, placing it in the 91th 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 11 locations

91th percentile for diversity

vs. University Lake

+733% 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.

Alces alces

Eich

Very Common481 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common225 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common157 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Very Common142 obs.

Podiceps grisegena

red-necked grebe

Very Common140 obs.

Larus brachyrhynchus

Short-billed Gull

Common139 obs.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

French-Willow

Common124 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common105 obs.

Mareca strepera

Gadwall

Common96 obs.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Common93 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common84 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Occasional83 obs.

Sterna paradisaea

Arctic Tern

Occasional83 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Occasional76 obs.

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped chickadee

Occasional73 obs.

Anas crecca

teal, common teal

Occasional73 obs.

Lepus americanus

Varying Hare

Occasional72 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Rare66 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare64 obs.

Heracleum maximum

American Cow Parsnip

Rare51 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Anchorage. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+488%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Anchorage County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Westchester Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

78 species

+28% vs. current

Taku Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

University Lake

Importance: 0.35

12 species

+733% vs. current

Goose Lake

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Lake Hood

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Waldron Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Little Campbell Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Jewel Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% 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 Anchorage 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

+488%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Anchorage County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Westchester Lagoon

Importance: 0.35

78 species

+28% vs. current

Taku Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

University Lake

Importance: 0.35

12 species

+733% vs. current

Goose Lake

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Lake Hood

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Waldron Lake

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Little Campbell Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Jewel Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 11 locations

91th percentile for diversity

vs. University Lake

+733% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Alces alces

Eich

Very Common481 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common225 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common157 obs.

Pica hudsonia

Black-billed Magpie

Very Common142 obs.

Podiceps grisegena

red-necked grebe

Very Common140 obs.

Larus brachyrhynchus

Short-billed Gull

Common139 obs.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

French-Willow

Common124 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common105 obs.

Mareca strepera

Gadwall

Common96 obs.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Common93 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common84 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Occasional83 obs.

Sterna paradisaea

Arctic Tern

Occasional83 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Occasional76 obs.

Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped chickadee

Occasional73 obs.

Anas crecca

teal, common teal

Occasional73 obs.

Lepus americanus

Varying Hare

Occasional72 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Rare66 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Rare64 obs.

Heracleum maximum

American Cow Parsnip

Rare51 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.