Lake Defiance

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Defiance ecosystem supports 13 documented wildlife species across 12 taxonomic genera. Located in McHenry County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 3 frequently observed species and 2 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While McHenry County nearby has 87% more documented species, Lake Defiance offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #7 for species diversity among 11 McHenry County County natural areas, placing it in the 36th 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common4 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 11 locations

36th percentile for diversity

vs. McHenry County

-87% 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 13 total documented species.

Taraxacum erythrospermum

Rock dandelion

Very Common3 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Very Common3 obs.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Very Common2 obs.

Daucus carota

wild carrot

Very Common2 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Very Common1 obs.

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

Common1 obs.

Rubus occidentalis

Thimbleberry

Common1 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Common1 obs.

Ratibida pinnata

Gray-Head Prairie-Coneflower

Common1 obs.

Geum canadense

White Avens

Common1 obs.

Alobates pensylvanicus

False Mealworm Beetle

Common1 obs.

Trifolium pratense

red clover

Occasional1 obs.

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum

Tall White Aster

Occasional1 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 Lake Defiance. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-62%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in McHenry County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

McHenry County

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-87% vs. current

Crystal Lake

Importance: 0.49

50 species

-74% vs. current

Woodstock

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+160% vs. current

Lake Atwood

Importance: 0.35

32 species

-59% vs. current

McHenry

Importance: 0.34

4 species

+225% vs. current

Cary

Importance: 0.33

22 species

-41% vs. current

Lake In The Hills

Importance: 0.32

50 species

-74% vs. current

Johnsburg

Importance: 0.32

5 species

+160% 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 McHenry 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

-62%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in McHenry County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

McHenry County

Importance: 0.49

100 species

-87% vs. current

Crystal Lake

Importance: 0.49

50 species

-74% vs. current

Woodstock

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+160% vs. current

Lake Atwood

Importance: 0.35

32 species

-59% vs. current

McHenry

Importance: 0.34

4 species

+225% vs. current

Cary

Importance: 0.33

22 species

-41% vs. current

Lake In The Hills

Importance: 0.32

50 species

-74% vs. current

Johnsburg

Importance: 0.32

5 species

+160% 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 11 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common4 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 11 locations

36th percentile for diversity

vs. McHenry County

-87% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 13 total documented species.

Taraxacum erythrospermum

Rock dandelion

Very Common3 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Very Common3 obs.

Rosa multiflora

Many-Flower Rose

Very Common2 obs.

Daucus carota

wild carrot

Very Common2 obs.

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Very Common1 obs.

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

Common1 obs.

Rubus occidentalis

Thimbleberry

Common1 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Common1 obs.

Ratibida pinnata

Gray-Head Prairie-Coneflower

Common1 obs.

Geum canadense

White Avens

Common1 obs.

Alobates pensylvanicus

False Mealworm Beetle

Common1 obs.

Trifolium pratense

red clover

Occasional1 obs.

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum

Tall White Aster

Occasional1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 13 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.