Cave In Rock State Park

Ecosystem Overview

The Cave In Rock State Park ecosystem supports 14 documented wildlife species across 13 taxonomic genera. Located in Hardin 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 Hardin County nearby has 81% more documented species, Cave In Rock State Park offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #52 for species diversity among 100 Hardin County County natural areas, placing it in the 48th 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

#52

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#52 of 100 locations

48th percentile for diversity

vs. Hardin County

-81% 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 14 total documented species.

Bidens frondosa

Sticktight

Very Common1 obs.

Mollugo verticillata

Carpetweed

Very Common1 obs.

Panicum capillare

Witchgrass

Very Common1 obs.

Colonus sylvanus

Jumping Spiders

Very Common1 obs.

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cliff Swallow

Very Common1 obs.

Gleditsia triacanthos

Sweet-Bean

Common1 obs.

Campsis radicans

Trumpetvine

Common1 obs.

Harmonia axyridis

Asian Lady Beetle

Common1 obs.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Woodbine

Common1 obs.

Xanthium strumarium

Burweed

Common1 obs.

Magicicada tredecassini

13-Year Cicada

Common0.2 obs.

Magicicada tredecim

Occasional0.2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Occasional0.11 obs.

Dasypus novemcinctus

Tatou A Neuf Bandes

Occasional0.11 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-46%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hardin County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Hardin County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-81% vs. current

Cave-in-rock

Importance: 0.70

14 species

0% vs. current

Elizabethtown

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+75% vs. current

Rosiclare

Importance: 0.70

7 species

+100% vs. current

Kaskaskia Experimental Forest

Importance: 0.60

16 species

-12% vs. current

Sparks Hill

Importance: 0.50

62 species

-77% vs. current

Karbers Ridge

Importance: 0.50

14 species

0% vs. current

Loves Corner

Importance: 0.50

14 species

0% 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 Hardin 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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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 14 total documented species.

Bidens frondosa

Sticktight

Very Common1 obs.

Mollugo verticillata

Carpetweed

Very Common1 obs.

Panicum capillare

Witchgrass

Very Common1 obs.

Colonus sylvanus

Jumping Spiders

Very Common1 obs.

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cliff Swallow

Very Common1 obs.

Gleditsia triacanthos

Sweet-Bean

Common1 obs.

Campsis radicans

Trumpetvine

Common1 obs.

Harmonia axyridis

Asian Lady Beetle

Common1 obs.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Woodbine

Common1 obs.

Xanthium strumarium

Burweed

Common1 obs.

Magicicada tredecassini

13-Year Cicada

Common0.2 obs.

Magicicada tredecim

Occasional0.2 obs.

Anaxyrus americanus

American Toad

Occasional0.11 obs.

Dasypus novemcinctus

Tatou A Neuf Bandes

Occasional0.11 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 14 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.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-46%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hardin County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Hardin County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-81% vs. current

Cave-in-rock

Importance: 0.70

14 species

0% vs. current

Elizabethtown

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+75% vs. current

Rosiclare

Importance: 0.70

7 species

+100% vs. current

Kaskaskia Experimental Forest

Importance: 0.60

16 species

-12% vs. current

Sparks Hill

Importance: 0.50

62 species

-77% vs. current

Karbers Ridge

Importance: 0.50

14 species

0% vs. current

Loves Corner

Importance: 0.50

14 species

0% 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

#52

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#52 of 100 locations

48th percentile for diversity

vs. Hardin County

-81% species diversity