Lancaster

Ecosystem Overview

The Lancaster ecosystem supports 96 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 20 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Lancaster County nearby has 4% more documented species, Lancaster offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 14 Lancaster County County natural areas, placing it in the 79th 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

Regional Rank

Out of 14 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common20 species

Common29 species

Occasional28 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 14 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Lancaster County

-4% 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 96 total documented species.

Robinia pseudoacacia

Black locust

Very Common3 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Very Common2 obs.

Sicyos angulatus

Angled Burr Cucumber

Very Common2 obs.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Very Common2 obs.

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

Very Common2 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common2 obs.

Nerodia sipedon

Northern Water Snake

Common2 obs.

Polistes dominula

Paper Wasp

Common2 obs.

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Shawnee Salad

Common2 obs.

Oplismenus undulatifolius

Common2 obs.

Ficaria verna

Lesser Celandine

Common2 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Occasional2 obs.

Carya cordiformis

Pignut

Occasional2 obs.

Vespula flavopilosa

Occasional1 obs.

Lacinipolia laudabilis

Occasional1 obs.

Chrysodeixis includens

Cutworm moth

Occasional1 obs.

Anthomyia illocata

Occasional1 obs.

Meromacrus acutus

Rare1 obs.

Toxomerus marginatus

Syrphid Fly

Rare1 obs.

Oxidus gracilis

Millipede

Rare1 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 Lancaster. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+300%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lancaster County County, Pennsylvania

Nearby Natural Areas

Lancaster County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-4% vs. current

Columbia

Importance: 0.43

3 species

+3100% vs. current

Ephrata

Importance: 0.42

3 species

+3100% vs. current

Elizabethtown

Importance: 0.42

3 species

+3100% vs. current

Lititz

Importance: 0.37

7 species

+1271% vs. current

Millersville

Importance: 0.36

66 species

+45% vs. current

Strasburg

Importance: 0.36

1 species

+9500% vs. current

Marietta

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1100% 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 Lancaster 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

Species Count

+300%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lancaster County County, Pennsylvania

Nearby Natural Areas

Lancaster County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-4% vs. current

Columbia

Importance: 0.43

3 species

+3100% vs. current

Ephrata

Importance: 0.42

3 species

+3100% vs. current

Elizabethtown

Importance: 0.42

3 species

+3100% vs. current

Lititz

Importance: 0.37

7 species

+1271% vs. current

Millersville

Importance: 0.36

66 species

+45% vs. current

Strasburg

Importance: 0.36

1 species

+9500% vs. current

Marietta

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1100% 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

Regional Rank

Out of 14 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common20 species

Common29 species

Occasional28 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 14 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Lancaster County

-4% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 96 total documented species.

Robinia pseudoacacia

Black locust

Very Common3 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Very Common2 obs.

Sicyos angulatus

Angled Burr Cucumber

Very Common2 obs.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter Ant

Very Common2 obs.

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

Very Common2 obs.

Pachydiplax longipennis

Blue Dasher

Common2 obs.

Nerodia sipedon

Northern Water Snake

Common2 obs.

Polistes dominula

Paper Wasp

Common2 obs.

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Shawnee Salad

Common2 obs.

Oplismenus undulatifolius

Common2 obs.

Ficaria verna

Lesser Celandine

Common2 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Occasional2 obs.

Carya cordiformis

Pignut

Occasional2 obs.

Vespula flavopilosa

Occasional1 obs.

Lacinipolia laudabilis

Occasional1 obs.

Chrysodeixis includens

Cutworm moth

Occasional1 obs.

Anthomyia illocata

Occasional1 obs.

Meromacrus acutus

Rare1 obs.

Toxomerus marginatus

Syrphid Fly

Rare1 obs.

Oxidus gracilis

Millipede

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 96 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.