Lake Fairfax

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Fairfax ecosystem supports 32 documented wildlife species across 31 taxonomic genera. Located in Fairfax County, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 7 frequently observed species and 6 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Fairfax County nearby has 68% more documented species, Lake Fairfax offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #9 for species diversity among 27 Fairfax County County natural areas, placing it in the 67th 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 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common10 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 27 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Fairfax County

-68% 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 32 total documented species.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common4 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common2 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Very Common2 obs.

Hamamelis virginiana

Northern Witch-Hazel

Very Common2 obs.

Houstonia caerulea

Quaker-Ladies

Common2 obs.

Solidago bicolor

Silverrod

Common2 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Common1 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Common1 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Common1 obs.

Graphocephala versuta

Common1 obs.

Hormaphis hamamelidis

Witch-Hazel Cone Gall Aphid

Occasional1 obs.

Neoscona arabesca

orb weavers

Occasional1 obs.

Lithobates clamitans

Green Frog

Occasional1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Occasional1 obs.

Adiantum pedatum

Five-Finger Fern

Occasional1 obs.

Ceratophyllum demersum

rigid hornwort

Rare1 obs.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain-Laurel

Rare1 obs.

Rhododendron periclymenoides

Pinxterbloom Azalea

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 Lake Fairfax. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-47%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Fairfax County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Fairfax County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-68% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-68% vs. current

Burke Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-68% vs. current

Woodglen Lake

Importance: 0.35

46 species

-30% vs. current

Lake Accotink

Importance: 0.35

43 species

-26% vs. current

Lake Mercer

Importance: 0.35

36 species

-11% vs. current

Pohick Bay

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+7% vs. current

Meadow Pond

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+19% 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 Fairfax 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

-47%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Fairfax County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Fairfax County

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-68% vs. current

Vienna

Importance: 0.43

100 species

-68% vs. current

Burke Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-68% vs. current

Woodglen Lake

Importance: 0.35

46 species

-30% vs. current

Lake Accotink

Importance: 0.35

43 species

-26% vs. current

Lake Mercer

Importance: 0.35

36 species

-11% vs. current

Pohick Bay

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+7% vs. current

Meadow Pond

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+19% 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 27 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common10 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#9 of 27 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Fairfax County

-68% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 32 total documented species.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common4 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common2 obs.

Polystichum acrostichoides

dagger fern

Very Common2 obs.

Hamamelis virginiana

Northern Witch-Hazel

Very Common2 obs.

Houstonia caerulea

Quaker-Ladies

Common2 obs.

Solidago bicolor

Silverrod

Common2 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Common1 obs.

Erythemis simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk

Common1 obs.

Phyciodes tharos

Pearl Crescent

Common1 obs.

Graphocephala versuta

Common1 obs.

Hormaphis hamamelidis

Witch-Hazel Cone Gall Aphid

Occasional1 obs.

Neoscona arabesca

orb weavers

Occasional1 obs.

Lithobates clamitans

Green Frog

Occasional1 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional1 obs.

Asplenium platyneuron

ebony spleenwort

Occasional1 obs.

Adiantum pedatum

Five-Finger Fern

Occasional1 obs.

Ceratophyllum demersum

rigid hornwort

Rare1 obs.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain-Laurel

Rare1 obs.

Rhododendron periclymenoides

Pinxterbloom Azalea

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 32 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.