Santa Monica

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Monica ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in Los Angeles County, California, 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. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 132 Los Angeles County County natural areas, placing it in the 97th 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 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 132 locations

97th percentile for diversity

vs. Pasadena

0% 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.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common31 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Very Common18 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Very Common11 obs.

Donax gouldii

Gould beanclam

Very Common11 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Very Common11 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common7 obs.

Emerita analoga

Common7 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Common6 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Common6 obs.

Cornu aspersum

Brown garden snail

Common6 obs.

Chlorophyllum molybdites

False Parasol

Common6 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Occasional5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional5 obs.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Occasional4 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional4 obs.

Bellis perennis

daisy

Occasional4 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Occasional4 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Rare4 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Rare4 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare4 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 Santa Monica. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+22%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Los Angeles County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Pasadena

Importance: 0.58

100 species

0% vs. current

Long Beach

Importance: 0.57

100 species

0% vs. current

Burbank

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Los Angeles County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Beverly Hills

Importance: 0.52

15 species

+567% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Malibu

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Inglewood

Importance: 0.51

44 species

+127% 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 Los Angeles 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

100

Species Count

+22%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Los Angeles County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Pasadena

Importance: 0.58

100 species

0% vs. current

Long Beach

Importance: 0.57

100 species

0% vs. current

Burbank

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Los Angeles County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Beverly Hills

Importance: 0.52

15 species

+567% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Malibu

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Inglewood

Importance: 0.51

44 species

+127% 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 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 132 locations

97th percentile for diversity

vs. Pasadena

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common31 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Very Common18 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Very Common11 obs.

Donax gouldii

Gould beanclam

Very Common11 obs.

Sciurus niger

Cat Squirrel

Very Common11 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common7 obs.

Emerita analoga

Common7 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Common6 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Common6 obs.

Cornu aspersum

Brown garden snail

Common6 obs.

Chlorophyllum molybdites

False Parasol

Common6 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Occasional5 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional5 obs.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Occasional4 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional4 obs.

Bellis perennis

daisy

Occasional4 obs.

Bombycilla cedrorum

cedar waxwing

Occasional4 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Rare4 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Rare4 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare4 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.