Cayucos

Ecosystem Overview

The Cayucos ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 88 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 #6 for species diversity among 22 San Luis Obispo County County natural areas, placing it in the 73th 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

#6 of 22 locations

73th 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.

Diaulula sandiegensis

Very Common12 obs.

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Very Common8 obs.

Crassadoma gigantea

Very Common5 obs.

Rostanga pulchra

Very Common5 obs.

Cryptochiton stelleri

giant Pacific chiton

Very Common5 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Common5 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Common5 obs.

Emerita analoga

Common5 obs.

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Common5 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Common5 obs.

Phidiana hiltoni

Common5 obs.

Romaleon antennarium

Occasional5 obs.

Triopha maculata

Occasional5 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Occasional4 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Occasional4 obs.

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Grebe

Occasional4 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Occasional4 obs.

Tegula funebralis

black tegula

Rare4 obs.

Dendraster excentricus

eccentric sand dollar sea urchin

Rare3 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Rare3 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 Cayucos. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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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

#6 of 22 locations

73th 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.

Diaulula sandiegensis

Very Common12 obs.

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Very Common8 obs.

Crassadoma gigantea

Very Common5 obs.

Rostanga pulchra

Very Common5 obs.

Cryptochiton stelleri

giant Pacific chiton

Very Common5 obs.

Pollicipes polymerus

Common5 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Common5 obs.

Emerita analoga

Common5 obs.

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Common5 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Common5 obs.

Phidiana hiltoni

Common5 obs.

Romaleon antennarium

Occasional5 obs.

Triopha maculata

Occasional5 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Occasional4 obs.

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Occasional4 obs.

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Western Grebe

Occasional4 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Occasional4 obs.

Tegula funebralis

black tegula

Rare4 obs.

Dendraster excentricus

eccentric sand dollar sea urchin

Rare3 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Rare3 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.