Lake Needwood

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Needwood ecosystem supports 27 documented wildlife species across 27 taxonomic genera. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 6 frequently observed species and 5 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Montgomery County nearby has 73% more documented species, Lake Needwood offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #11 for species diversity among 36 Montgomery County County natural areas, placing it in the 69th 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

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 36 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional8 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 36 locations

69th percentile for diversity

vs. Montgomery County

-73% 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 27 total documented species.

Pseudemys rubriventris

Eastern Redbelly Turtle

Very Common7 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common7 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Very Common3 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping Turtle

Common2 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Common2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common2 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Common1 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common1 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Common1 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Occasional1 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Occasional1 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Occasional1 obs.

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Southern Beech Fern

Occasional1 obs.

Adiantum pedatum

Five-Finger Fern

Rare1 obs.

Conopholis americana

squawroot

Rare1 obs.

Hylodesmum glutinosum

clustered-leaved tick-trefoil

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-56%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Montgomery County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Montgomery County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-73% vs. current

Rockville

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-73% vs. current

Gaithersburg

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-73% vs. current

Takoma Park

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-73% vs. current

Poolesville

Importance: 0.37

5 species

+440% vs. current

Kensington

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+350% vs. current

Study Pond

Importance: 0.35

49 species

-45% vs. current

Chesapeake And Ohio Canal

Importance: 0.35

34 species

-21% 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 Montgomery 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

-56%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Montgomery County County, Maryland

Nearby Natural Areas

Montgomery County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-73% vs. current

Rockville

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-73% vs. current

Gaithersburg

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-73% vs. current

Takoma Park

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-73% vs. current

Poolesville

Importance: 0.37

5 species

+440% vs. current

Kensington

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+350% vs. current

Study Pond

Importance: 0.35

49 species

-45% vs. current

Chesapeake And Ohio Canal

Importance: 0.35

34 species

-21% 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

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 36 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional8 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 36 locations

69th percentile for diversity

vs. Montgomery County

-73% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 27 total documented species.

Pseudemys rubriventris

Eastern Redbelly Turtle

Very Common7 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common7 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Very Common3 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Very Common3 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common3 obs.

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping Turtle

Common2 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Common2 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common2 obs.

Dolichovespula maculata

Baldfaced Hornet

Common1 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common1 obs.

Chrysemys picta

Eastern Painted Turtle

Common1 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Occasional1 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional1 obs.

Actitis macularius

spotted sandpiper

Occasional1 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Occasional1 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Occasional1 obs.

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Southern Beech Fern

Occasional1 obs.

Adiantum pedatum

Five-Finger Fern

Rare1 obs.

Conopholis americana

squawroot

Rare1 obs.

Hylodesmum glutinosum

clustered-leaved tick-trefoil

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 27 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.