Mount Desert Island

Ecosystem Overview

The Mount Desert Island ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 85 taxonomic genera. Located in Hancock County, Maine, 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 Ellsworth, Mount Desert Island hosts 69% more species diversity. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 33 Hancock County 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 33 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 33 locations

91th percentile for diversity

vs. Ellsworth

+69% 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 smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common51 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common50 obs.

Spiraea alba

Meadowsweet

Very Common46 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Ecureuil Roux

Very Common45 obs.

Pinus rigida

pitch pine

Very Common43 obs.

Acer pensylvanicum

Moose Maple

Common41 obs.

Thuja occidentalis

White Cedar

Common40 obs.

Pinus strobus

White Pine

Common36 obs.

Kalmia angustifolia

Wicky

Common34 obs.

Abies balsamea

Eastern Fir

Common34 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common33 obs.

Comptonia peregrina

Fern-Gale

Occasional33 obs.

Gaylussacia baccata

black huckleberry

Occasional31 obs.

Acer rubrum

Maple

Occasional29 obs.

Bombus ternarius

Tricolored Bumble Bee

Occasional29 obs.

Littorina littorea

Common periwinkle

Occasional26 obs.

Fomitopsis mounceae

Occasional26 obs.

Rosa rugosa

japanese rose

Rare26 obs.

Rhus typhina

Staghorn sumac

Rare24 obs.

Rhododendron canadense

Canadian Rhododendron

Rare24 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 Mount Desert Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+335%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hancock County County, Maine

Nearby Natural Areas

Ellsworth

Importance: 0.39

59 species

+69% vs. current

Hancock County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Echo Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

Long Pond

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Seal Cove Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Bubble Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Branch Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Tunk Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 Hancock 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

+335%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hancock County County, Maine

Nearby Natural Areas

Ellsworth

Importance: 0.39

59 species

+69% vs. current

Hancock County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Echo Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

Long Pond

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Seal Cove Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Bubble Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Branch Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Tunk Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% 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 33 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 33 locations

91th percentile for diversity

vs. Ellsworth

+69% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common51 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common50 obs.

Spiraea alba

Meadowsweet

Very Common46 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Ecureuil Roux

Very Common45 obs.

Pinus rigida

pitch pine

Very Common43 obs.

Acer pensylvanicum

Moose Maple

Common41 obs.

Thuja occidentalis

White Cedar

Common40 obs.

Pinus strobus

White Pine

Common36 obs.

Kalmia angustifolia

Wicky

Common34 obs.

Abies balsamea

Eastern Fir

Common34 obs.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common Bullfrog

Common33 obs.

Comptonia peregrina

Fern-Gale

Occasional33 obs.

Gaylussacia baccata

black huckleberry

Occasional31 obs.

Acer rubrum

Maple

Occasional29 obs.

Bombus ternarius

Tricolored Bumble Bee

Occasional29 obs.

Littorina littorea

Common periwinkle

Occasional26 obs.

Fomitopsis mounceae

Occasional26 obs.

Rosa rugosa

japanese rose

Rare26 obs.

Rhus typhina

Staghorn sumac

Rare24 obs.

Rhododendron canadense

Canadian Rhododendron

Rare24 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.