Kenai Peninsula

Ecosystem Overview

The Kenai Peninsula ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in Kenai Peninsula, 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 Skilak Lake, Kenai Peninsula hosts 4900% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 43 Kenai Peninsula County natural areas, placing it in the 98th 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 43 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 43 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Skilak Lake

+4900% 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.

Gasterosteus aculeatus

three-spined stickleback

Very Common123 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common93 obs.

Heracleum maximum

American Cow Parsnip

Very Common92 obs.

Evasterias troschelii

Very Common83 obs.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

French-Willow

Very Common74 obs.

Hieracium umbellatum

hawkweed

Common66 obs.

Oplopanax horridus

devil's-club

Common64 obs.

Phyllolithodes papillosus

Common63 obs.

Alces alces

Eich

Common63 obs.

Crepis tectorum

Narrow-leaved Hawk's-beard

Common60 obs.

Rissa tridactyla

black-legged kittiwake

Common58 obs.

Cryptolithodes typicus

Occasional57 obs.

Orthasterias koehleri

Occasional56 obs.

Tonicella lineata

lined chiton

Occasional51 obs.

Enteroctopus dofleini

Giant North Pacific octopus

Occasional51 obs.

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

green sea urchin

Occasional49 obs.

Pycnopodia helianthoides

Sunflower Sea Star

Occasional48 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Rare48 obs.

Dermasterias imbricata

Rare48 obs.

Pagurus beringanus

Rare47 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 Kenai Peninsula. 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 8 nearby locations in Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Tern Lake

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+456% vs. current

Elephant Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Stormy Lake

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+809% vs. current

Arc Lake

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+809% vs. current

Rock Lake

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Headquarters Lake

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Watson Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Upper Omer Lake

Importance: 0.35

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 Kenai Peninsula 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

+900%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska

Nearby Natural Areas

Tern Lake

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+456% vs. current

Elephant Lake

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Stormy Lake

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+809% vs. current

Arc Lake

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+809% vs. current

Rock Lake

Importance: 0.35

9 species

+1011% vs. current

Headquarters Lake

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Watson Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Upper Omer Lake

Importance: 0.35

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 43 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 43 locations

98th percentile for diversity

vs. Skilak Lake

+4900% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Gasterosteus aculeatus

three-spined stickleback

Very Common123 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common93 obs.

Heracleum maximum

American Cow Parsnip

Very Common92 obs.

Evasterias troschelii

Very Common83 obs.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

French-Willow

Very Common74 obs.

Hieracium umbellatum

hawkweed

Common66 obs.

Oplopanax horridus

devil's-club

Common64 obs.

Phyllolithodes papillosus

Common63 obs.

Alces alces

Eich

Common63 obs.

Crepis tectorum

Narrow-leaved Hawk's-beard

Common60 obs.

Rissa tridactyla

black-legged kittiwake

Common58 obs.

Cryptolithodes typicus

Occasional57 obs.

Orthasterias koehleri

Occasional56 obs.

Tonicella lineata

lined chiton

Occasional51 obs.

Enteroctopus dofleini

Giant North Pacific octopus

Occasional51 obs.

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

green sea urchin

Occasional49 obs.

Pycnopodia helianthoides

Sunflower Sea Star

Occasional48 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Rare48 obs.

Dermasterias imbricata

Rare48 obs.

Pagurus beringanus

Rare47 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.