Sweetwater Preserve

Ecosystem Overview

The Sweetwater Preserve ecosystem supports 38 documented wildlife species across 35 taxonomic genera. Located in Pima County, Arizona, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 7 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Tucson nearby has 62% more documented species, Sweetwater Preserve offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #12 for species diversity among 48 Pima County County natural areas, placing it in the 75th 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

#12

Regional Rank

Out of 48 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common12 species

Occasional11 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#12 of 48 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Tucson

-62% 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 38 total documented species.

Carnegiea gigantea

Saguaro

Very Common56 obs.

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis

slender-stem cactus

Very Common9 obs.

Parkinsonia microphylla

yellow paloverde

Very Common8 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Very Common5 obs.

Simmondsia chinensis

goatnut

Very Common5 obs.

Larrea tridentata

Common5 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common4 obs.

Vachellia constricta

whitethorn acacia

Common4 obs.

Polioptila melanura

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Common3 obs.

Senegalia greggii

catclaw acacia

Common2 obs.

Euphorbia gracillima

Common2 obs.

Ambrosia deltoidea

Occasional2 obs.

Parkinsonia florida

blue paloverde

Occasional2 obs.

Condalia warnockii

Occasional2 obs.

Cylindropuntia fulgida

Jumping cholla

Occasional2 obs.

Aphonopelma chalcodes

Occasional1 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Occasional1 obs.

Callisaurus draconoides

Zebra-tailed Lizard

Rare1 obs.

Colaptes chrysoides

Gilded Flicker

Rare1 obs.

Auriparus flaviceps

Verdin

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Sweetwater Preserve. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Sweetwater Preserve. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-27%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Pima County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Tucson

Importance: 0.60

100 species

-62% vs. current

Pima County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-62% vs. current

Catalina State Park

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-62% vs. current

Sabino Lake

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+15% vs. current

Lakeside Park Lake

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+19% vs. current

Tortolita Preserve

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+90% vs. current

Arivaca Lake

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+100% vs. current

Reid Park Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+153% 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 Pima 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

-27%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Pima County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Tucson

Importance: 0.60

100 species

-62% vs. current

Pima County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-62% vs. current

Catalina State Park

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-62% vs. current

Sabino Lake

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+15% vs. current

Lakeside Park Lake

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+19% vs. current

Tortolita Preserve

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+90% vs. current

Arivaca Lake

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+100% vs. current

Reid Park Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+153% 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

#12

Regional Rank

Out of 48 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common12 species

Occasional11 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#12 of 48 locations

75th percentile for diversity

vs. Tucson

-62% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 38 total documented species.

Carnegiea gigantea

Saguaro

Very Common56 obs.

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis

slender-stem cactus

Very Common9 obs.

Parkinsonia microphylla

yellow paloverde

Very Common8 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Very Common5 obs.

Simmondsia chinensis

goatnut

Very Common5 obs.

Larrea tridentata

Common5 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common4 obs.

Vachellia constricta

whitethorn acacia

Common4 obs.

Polioptila melanura

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Common3 obs.

Senegalia greggii

catclaw acacia

Common2 obs.

Euphorbia gracillima

Common2 obs.

Ambrosia deltoidea

Occasional2 obs.

Parkinsonia florida

blue paloverde

Occasional2 obs.

Condalia warnockii

Occasional2 obs.

Cylindropuntia fulgida

Jumping cholla

Occasional2 obs.

Aphonopelma chalcodes

Occasional1 obs.

Odocoileus hemionus

mule deer

Occasional1 obs.

Callisaurus draconoides

Zebra-tailed Lizard

Rare1 obs.

Colaptes chrysoides

Gilded Flicker

Rare1 obs.

Auriparus flaviceps

Verdin

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 38 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.