Pismo Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Pismo Beach ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in San Luis Obispo 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 #4 for species diversity among 22 San Luis Obispo County County natural areas, placing it in the 82th 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 22 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 22 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. San Luis Obispo

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.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common81 obs.

Endocladia muricata

Very Common61 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common35 obs.

No image

Mazzaella affinis

Very Common34 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Very Common32 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common29 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common23 obs.

Phidiana hiltoni

Common20 obs.

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Common20 obs.

Tivela stultorum

Pismo clam

Common18 obs.

Chondracanthus canaliculatus

Common18 obs.

Cladophora columbiana

Occasional17 obs.

Urile penicillatus

Brandt's Cormorant

Occasional14 obs.

Numenius phaeopus

whimbrel

Occasional14 obs.

Velella velella

little sail

Occasional12 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Occasional12 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Occasional11 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Rare11 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Rare10 obs.

Haematopus bachmani

Black Oystercatcher

Rare9 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+75%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Luis Obispo County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Luis Obispo

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

San Luis Obispo County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Atascadero

Importance: 0.36

100 species

0% vs. current

Laguna Lake

Importance: 0.35

74 species

+35% vs. current

Oso Flaco Lake

Importance: 0.35

44 species

+127% vs. current

Santa Margarita Lake

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+456% vs. current

Atascadero Lake

Importance: 0.35

17 species

+488% vs. current

Soda Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% 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 San Luis Obispo 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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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+75%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Luis Obispo County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Luis Obispo

Importance: 0.48

100 species

0% vs. current

San Luis Obispo County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Atascadero

Importance: 0.36

100 species

0% vs. current

Laguna Lake

Importance: 0.35

74 species

+35% vs. current

Oso Flaco Lake

Importance: 0.35

44 species

+127% vs. current

Santa Margarita Lake

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+456% vs. current

Atascadero Lake

Importance: 0.35

17 species

+488% vs. current

Soda Lake

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+1900% 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 22 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 22 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. San Luis Obispo

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common81 obs.

Endocladia muricata

Very Common61 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common35 obs.

No image

Mazzaella affinis

Very Common34 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Very Common32 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common29 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common23 obs.

Phidiana hiltoni

Common20 obs.

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Common20 obs.

Tivela stultorum

Pismo clam

Common18 obs.

Chondracanthus canaliculatus

Common18 obs.

Cladophora columbiana

Occasional17 obs.

Urile penicillatus

Brandt's Cormorant

Occasional14 obs.

Numenius phaeopus

whimbrel

Occasional14 obs.

Velella velella

little sail

Occasional12 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Occasional12 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Occasional11 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Rare11 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Rare10 obs.

Haematopus bachmani

Black Oystercatcher

Rare9 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.