Moss Landing

Ecosystem Overview

The Moss Landing ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 84 taxonomic genera. Located in Monterey 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 #8 for species diversity among 24 Monterey 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 24 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 24 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Monterey

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.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Very Common60 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common56 obs.

Urile penicillatus

Brandt's Cormorant

Very Common43 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Very Common29 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common25 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Common23 obs.

Phoca vitulina

common seal, harbour seal

Common19 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common19 obs.

Dendronotus venustus

Common18 obs.

Larus heermanni

Heermann's Gull

Common18 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Common17 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Occasional17 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Occasional16 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional15 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional15 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Occasional15 obs.

Thalasseus elegans

Elegant Tern

Occasional14 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Rare14 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Rare13 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Rare12 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 Moss Landing. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+25%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Monterey County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Monterey

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Salinas

Importance: 0.48

37 species

+170% vs. current

Monterey County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Carmel-by-the-sea

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Pacific Grove

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Seaside

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Marina

Importance: 0.36

100 species

0% vs. current

Castroville

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% 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 Monterey 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

+25%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Monterey County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Monterey

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Salinas

Importance: 0.48

37 species

+170% vs. current

Monterey County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Carmel-by-the-sea

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Pacific Grove

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Seaside

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Marina

Importance: 0.36

100 species

0% vs. current

Castroville

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% 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 24 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 24 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Monterey

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Very Common60 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common56 obs.

Urile penicillatus

Brandt's Cormorant

Very Common43 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Very Common29 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common25 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Common23 obs.

Phoca vitulina

common seal, harbour seal

Common19 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common19 obs.

Dendronotus venustus

Common18 obs.

Larus heermanni

Heermann's Gull

Common18 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Common17 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Occasional17 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Occasional16 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional15 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional15 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Occasional15 obs.

Thalasseus elegans

Elegant Tern

Occasional14 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Rare14 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Rare13 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Rare12 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.