Bear Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Bear Lake ecosystem supports 23 documented wildlife species across 23 taxonomic genera. Located in Larimer County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Fort Collins nearby has 77% more documented species, Bear Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #7 for species diversity among 45 Larimer County County natural areas, placing it in the 84th 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 45 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common7 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 45 locations

84th percentile for diversity

vs. Fort Collins

-77% 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 23 total documented species.

Ambystoma mavortium

Barred Tiger Salamander

Very Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Poecile gambeli

Mountain Chickadee (Rocky Mts.)

Very Common2 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common2 obs.

Lepus americanus

Varying Hare

Very Common1 obs.

Piranga ludoviciana

western tanager

Common1 obs.

Pinicola enucleator

Pine Grosbeak

Common1 obs.

Juniperus communis

juniper

Common1 obs.

Sparganium angustifolium

floating bur-reed

Common1 obs.

Calamagrostis canadensis

Canada Reedgrass

Common1 obs.

Sambucus racemosa

red-berried elder

Common1 obs.

Rubus idaeus

raspberry

Occasional1 obs.

Heracleum maximum

American Cow Parsnip

Occasional1 obs.

Populus angustifolia

narrow-leaf cottonwood

Occasional1 obs.

Acer glabrum

Rocky Mountain maple

Occasional1 obs.

Anaphalis margaritacea

Marguerite

Occasional1 obs.

Jamesia americana

Occasional1 obs.

Arnica cordifolia

heart-leaved arnica

Rare1 obs.

Viola minuscula

northern white violet

Rare1 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-58%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Larimer County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Fort Collins

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-77% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.46

1 species

+2200% vs. current

Larimer County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-77% vs. current

Estes Park

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-77% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-77% vs. current

Sheldon Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+53% vs. current

Emerald Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+64% vs. current

Dixon Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+109% 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 Larimer 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

-58%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Larimer County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Fort Collins

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-77% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.46

1 species

+2200% vs. current

Larimer County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-77% vs. current

Estes Park

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-77% vs. current

Loveland

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-77% vs. current

Sheldon Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+53% vs. current

Emerald Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+64% vs. current

Dixon Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+109% 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 45 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common7 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 45 locations

84th percentile for diversity

vs. Fort Collins

-77% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 23 total documented species.

Ambystoma mavortium

Barred Tiger Salamander

Very Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Poecile gambeli

Mountain Chickadee (Rocky Mts.)

Very Common2 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Very Common2 obs.

Lepus americanus

Varying Hare

Very Common1 obs.

Piranga ludoviciana

western tanager

Common1 obs.

Pinicola enucleator

Pine Grosbeak

Common1 obs.

Juniperus communis

juniper

Common1 obs.

Sparganium angustifolium

floating bur-reed

Common1 obs.

Calamagrostis canadensis

Canada Reedgrass

Common1 obs.

Sambucus racemosa

red-berried elder

Common1 obs.

Rubus idaeus

raspberry

Occasional1 obs.

Heracleum maximum

American Cow Parsnip

Occasional1 obs.

Populus angustifolia

narrow-leaf cottonwood

Occasional1 obs.

Acer glabrum

Rocky Mountain maple

Occasional1 obs.

Anaphalis margaritacea

Marguerite

Occasional1 obs.

Jamesia americana

Occasional1 obs.

Arnica cordifolia

heart-leaved arnica

Rare1 obs.

Viola minuscula

northern white violet

Rare1 obs.

Setophaga coronata

Myrtle Warbler

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 23 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.