Blackwater Swamp

Ecosystem Overview

The Blackwater Swamp ecosystem supports 80 documented wildlife species across 79 taxonomic genera. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 17 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Petersburg, Blackwater Swamp hosts 4% more species diversity. This location ranks #50 for species diversity among 100 Petersburg County natural areas, placing it in the 50th 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

#50

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#50 of 100 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Petersburg

+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 80 total documented species.

Danaus plexippus

Monarch

Very Common0.35 obs.

Chimaphila maculata

Mottled Pipsissewa

Very Common0.33 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

Black Swallowtail

Very Common0.29 obs.

Smilax rotundifolia

Catbrier

Very Common0.29 obs.

Melissa officinalis

Balm

Very Common0.26 obs.

Vitis rotundifolia

Muscadine Grape

Common0.21 obs.

Macrodiplosis majalis

Common0.19 obs.

Zapatella oblata

Common0.19 obs.

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow

Common0.19 obs.

Passiflora incarnata

Maypop

Common0.19 obs.

Verbesina occidentalis

Common0.18 obs.

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Buckhorn

Occasional0.18 obs.

Cornus florida

Dogwood

Occasional0.17 obs.

Conoclinium coelestinum

Mistflower

Occasional0.17 obs.

Broussonetia papyrifera

Paper Mulberry

Occasional0.16 obs.

Carex intumescens

Bladder Sedge

Occasional0.15 obs.

Ipomoea pandurata

Indian Potato

Occasional0.15 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterflyweed

Rare0.15 obs.

Scutellaria integrifolia

Rare0.15 obs.

Berkcurtia persicina

Rare0.14 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+1%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Petersburg County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Petersburg

Importance: 0.80

77 species

+4% vs. current

Petersburg

Importance: 0.70

80 species

0% vs. current

Lee Memorial Park

Importance: 0.60

78 species

+3% vs. current

Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

Blandford Cemetery

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

West End Park Fairgrounds

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

Dogwood Trace Golf Course

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

Lieutinant Run

Importance: 0.40

80 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 Petersburg 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 80 total documented species.

Danaus plexippus

Monarch

Very Common0.35 obs.

Chimaphila maculata

Mottled Pipsissewa

Very Common0.33 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

Black Swallowtail

Very Common0.29 obs.

Smilax rotundifolia

Catbrier

Very Common0.29 obs.

Melissa officinalis

Balm

Very Common0.26 obs.

Vitis rotundifolia

Muscadine Grape

Common0.21 obs.

Macrodiplosis majalis

Common0.19 obs.

Zapatella oblata

Common0.19 obs.

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow

Common0.19 obs.

Passiflora incarnata

Maypop

Common0.19 obs.

Verbesina occidentalis

Common0.18 obs.

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Buckhorn

Occasional0.18 obs.

Cornus florida

Dogwood

Occasional0.17 obs.

Conoclinium coelestinum

Mistflower

Occasional0.17 obs.

Broussonetia papyrifera

Paper Mulberry

Occasional0.16 obs.

Carex intumescens

Bladder Sedge

Occasional0.15 obs.

Ipomoea pandurata

Indian Potato

Occasional0.15 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterflyweed

Rare0.15 obs.

Scutellaria integrifolia

Rare0.15 obs.

Berkcurtia persicina

Rare0.14 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 80 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

+1%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Petersburg County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Petersburg

Importance: 0.80

77 species

+4% vs. current

Petersburg

Importance: 0.70

80 species

0% vs. current

Lee Memorial Park

Importance: 0.60

78 species

+3% vs. current

Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

Blandford Cemetery

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

West End Park Fairgrounds

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

Dogwood Trace Golf Course

Importance: 0.50

80 species

0% vs. current

Lieutinant Run

Importance: 0.40

80 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

#50

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#50 of 100 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Petersburg

+4% species diversity