Santa Barbara County

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Barbara County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 81 taxonomic genera. Located in Santa Barbara 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 12 Santa Barbara County County natural areas, placing it in the 67th 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 12 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Goleta

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.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common2,503 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Very Common2,026 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Very Common1,837 obs.

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,403 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common995 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Common987 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Common917 obs.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Common892 obs.

No image

Rhacochilus vacca

Pile Seaperch

Common657 obs.

Sebastes atrovirens

Kelp rockfish

Common519 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Common445 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional380 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Occasional350 obs.

Girella nigricans

Opaleye

Occasional327 obs.

Patiria miniata

Occasional296 obs.

Sebastes mystinus

Blue rockfish

Occasional266 obs.

Pisaster giganteus

Occasional229 obs.

Neobernaya spadicea

chestnut cowrie

Rare210 obs.

Endocladia muricata

Rare209 obs.

No image

Apostichopus parvimensis

Warty Sea Cucumber

Rare185 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 Barbara County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+150%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Barbara County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Goleta

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Cruz Island

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Carpinteria

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Lake Cachuma

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Sutil Island

Importance: 0.33

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Guadalupe

Importance: 0.31

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Mission Hills

Importance: 0.31

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lompoc

Importance: 0.30

7 species

+1329% 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 Santa Barbara 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

+150%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Barbara County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Goleta

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Cruz Island

Importance: 0.43

100 species

0% vs. current

Carpinteria

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Lake Cachuma

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Sutil Island

Importance: 0.33

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Guadalupe

Importance: 0.31

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Mission Hills

Importance: 0.31

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lompoc

Importance: 0.30

7 species

+1329% 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 12 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Goleta

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common2,503 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Very Common2,026 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Very Common1,837 obs.

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,403 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common995 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Common987 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Common917 obs.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Common892 obs.

No image

Rhacochilus vacca

Pile Seaperch

Common657 obs.

Sebastes atrovirens

Kelp rockfish

Common519 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Common445 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional380 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Occasional350 obs.

Girella nigricans

Opaleye

Occasional327 obs.

Patiria miniata

Occasional296 obs.

Sebastes mystinus

Blue rockfish

Occasional266 obs.

Pisaster giganteus

Occasional229 obs.

Neobernaya spadicea

chestnut cowrie

Rare210 obs.

Endocladia muricata

Rare209 obs.

No image

Apostichopus parvimensis

Warty Sea Cucumber

Rare185 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.