Matanuska-susitna

Ecosystem Overview

The Matanuska-susitna ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 91 taxonomic genera. Located in Matanuska-Susitna, 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 Wasilla, Matanuska-susitna hosts 488% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 21 Matanuska-Susitna County natural areas, placing it in the 95th 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 21 locations

95th percentile for diversity

vs. Wasilla

+488% 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.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

French-Willow

Very Common36 obs.

Orgyia antiqua

Moth

Very Common27 obs.

Margaritifera falcata

western freshwater pearl mussel

Very Common23 obs.

Alces alces

Eich

Very Common20 obs.

Streptopus amplexifolius

Cucumber-Root

Very Common18 obs.

Chamaenerion latifolium

Alpine Fireweed

Common18 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Common15 obs.

Geranium erianthum

woolly geranium

Common14 obs.

Viburnum edule

Moosewood Viburnum

Common14 obs.

Dasineura epilobii

Common13 obs.

Urocitellus parryii

arctic ground squirrel

Common13 obs.

Fomes fomentarius

Hoof Fungus

Occasional13 obs.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Occasional13 obs.

Veratrum viride

Indian Hellebore

Occasional11 obs.

Amanita muscaria

Fly Agaric

Occasional11 obs.

Luetkea pectinata

partridgefoot

Occasional11 obs.

Mertensia paniculata

tall bluebells

Occasional10 obs.

Profenusa thomsoni

Rare10 obs.

Phellinus igniarius

Willow Bracket

Rare10 obs.

Papilio canadensis

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

Rare10 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 Matanuska-Susitna. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1567%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Matanuska-Susitna County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Wasilla

Importance: 0.45

17 species

+488% vs. current

Palmer

Importance: 0.38

11 species

+809% vs. current

Lake Lucile

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Bonnie Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Beyers Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2400% vs. current

South Rolly Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Talkeetna Lakes

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Lake Lorraine

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 Matanuska-Susitna 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

+1567%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Matanuska-Susitna County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Wasilla

Importance: 0.45

17 species

+488% vs. current

Palmer

Importance: 0.38

11 species

+809% vs. current

Lake Lucile

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Bonnie Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Beyers Lake

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+2400% vs. current

South Rolly Lake

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Talkeetna Lakes

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Lake Lorraine

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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 21 locations

95th percentile for diversity

vs. Wasilla

+488% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Chamaenerion angustifolium

French-Willow

Very Common36 obs.

Orgyia antiqua

Moth

Very Common27 obs.

Margaritifera falcata

western freshwater pearl mussel

Very Common23 obs.

Alces alces

Eich

Very Common20 obs.

Streptopus amplexifolius

Cucumber-Root

Very Common18 obs.

Chamaenerion latifolium

Alpine Fireweed

Common18 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Common15 obs.

Geranium erianthum

woolly geranium

Common14 obs.

Viburnum edule

Moosewood Viburnum

Common14 obs.

Dasineura epilobii

Common13 obs.

Urocitellus parryii

arctic ground squirrel

Common13 obs.

Fomes fomentarius

Hoof Fungus

Occasional13 obs.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Occasional13 obs.

Veratrum viride

Indian Hellebore

Occasional11 obs.

Amanita muscaria

Fly Agaric

Occasional11 obs.

Luetkea pectinata

partridgefoot

Occasional11 obs.

Mertensia paniculata

tall bluebells

Occasional10 obs.

Profenusa thomsoni

Rare10 obs.

Phellinus igniarius

Willow Bracket

Rare10 obs.

Papilio canadensis

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

Rare10 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.