San Benito County

Ecosystem Overview

The San Benito County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 89 taxonomic genera. Located in San Benito 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. Compared to nearby Hollister, San Benito County hosts 900% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 5 San Benito County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th 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 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 5 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Hollister

+900% 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.

Gymnogyps californianus

California Condor

Very Common87 obs.

Arctostaphylos glauca

Very Common78 obs.

Sceloporus occidentalis

Pacific blue-bellied lizard

Very Common65 obs.

Pinus sabiniana

Bull Pine

Very Common58 obs.

Eriogonum elegans

Very Common52 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Common51 obs.

Dendromecon rigida

tree-poppy

Common50 obs.

Eriodictyon tomentosum

woolly yerba-santa

Common47 obs.

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Common46 obs.

Eriogonum fasciculatum

wild buckwheat

Common44 obs.

Marrubium vulgare

white horehound

Common44 obs.

Clarkia unguiculata

clarkia

Occasional43 obs.

Aesculus californica

California buckeye

Occasional42 obs.

Callipepla californica

California Quail

Occasional37 obs.

Chorizanthe douglasii

Douglas's spineflower

Occasional35 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional35 obs.

Castilleja foliolosa

woolly Indian paintbrush

Occasional35 obs.

Centaurea solstitialis

Yellow Star-thistle

Rare34 obs.

Ceanothus cuneatus

buckbrush ceanothus

Rare34 obs.

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Rare33 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 San Benito County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1150%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in San Benito County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Hollister

Importance: 0.38

10 species

+900% vs. current

Bear Gulch Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+525% vs. current

Paicines Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Hernandez Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

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 San Benito 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

+1150%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 4 nearby locations in San Benito County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Hollister

Importance: 0.38

10 species

+900% vs. current

Bear Gulch Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

16 species

+525% vs. current

Paicines Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Hernandez Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

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 5 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 5 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Hollister

+900% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Gymnogyps californianus

California Condor

Very Common87 obs.

Arctostaphylos glauca

Very Common78 obs.

Sceloporus occidentalis

Pacific blue-bellied lizard

Very Common65 obs.

Pinus sabiniana

Bull Pine

Very Common58 obs.

Eriogonum elegans

Very Common52 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Common51 obs.

Dendromecon rigida

tree-poppy

Common50 obs.

Eriodictyon tomentosum

woolly yerba-santa

Common47 obs.

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Common46 obs.

Eriogonum fasciculatum

wild buckwheat

Common44 obs.

Marrubium vulgare

white horehound

Common44 obs.

Clarkia unguiculata

clarkia

Occasional43 obs.

Aesculus californica

California buckeye

Occasional42 obs.

Callipepla californica

California Quail

Occasional37 obs.

Chorizanthe douglasii

Douglas's spineflower

Occasional35 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional35 obs.

Castilleja foliolosa

woolly Indian paintbrush

Occasional35 obs.

Centaurea solstitialis

Yellow Star-thistle

Rare34 obs.

Ceanothus cuneatus

buckbrush ceanothus

Rare34 obs.

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Rare33 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.