Independence Township

Ecosystem Overview

The Independence Township ecosystem supports 62 documented wildlife species across 56 taxonomic genera. Located in Oakland County, Michigan, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Southfield nearby has 38% more documented species, Independence Township offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #15 for species diversity among 58 Oakland County County natural areas, placing it in the 74th 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

#15

Regional Rank

Out of 58 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common19 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#15 of 58 locations

74th percentile for diversity

vs. Southfield

-38% 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 62 total documented species.

Toxicodendron vernix

poison sumac

Very Common5 obs.

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Perfoliate Thoroughwort

Very Common3 obs.

Ilex verticillata

Winterberry

Very Common3 obs.

Larix laricina

Tamarack

Very Common3 obs.

Vaccinium angustifolium

Sweet Lowbush Blueberry

Very Common2 obs.

Solidago caesia

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod

Common2 obs.

Thuja occidentalis

White Cedar

Common2 obs.

Decodon verticillatus

Hairy Swamp Loosestrife

Common2 obs.

Portulaca oleracea

common purslane

Common2 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Common1 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common1 obs.

Prenolepis imparis

Small Honey Ant

Occasional1 obs.

Utterbackia imbecillis

paper pondshell

Occasional1 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Occasional1 obs.

Melanoplus bivittatus

Twostriped Grasshopper

Occasional1 obs.

Rabdophaga strobiloides

Occasional1 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Occasional1 obs.

Spilosoma virginica

Yellow Woolly Bear

Rare1 obs.

Photinus pyralis

Big Dipper Firefly

Rare1 obs.

Peltodytes muticus

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 Independence Township. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-16%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Oakland County County, Michigan

Nearby Natural Areas

Southfield

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-38% vs. current

Pontiac

Importance: 0.47

6 species

+933% vs. current

Royal Oak

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-38% vs. current

Farmington Hills

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-38% vs. current

Oakland County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-38% vs. current

Troy

Importance: 0.45

83 species

-25% vs. current

Auburn Hills

Importance: 0.44

80 species

-22% vs. current

Novi

Importance: 0.43

26 species

+138% 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 Oakland 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

-16%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Oakland County County, Michigan

Nearby Natural Areas

Southfield

Importance: 0.48

100 species

-38% vs. current

Pontiac

Importance: 0.47

6 species

+933% vs. current

Royal Oak

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-38% vs. current

Farmington Hills

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-38% vs. current

Oakland County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-38% vs. current

Troy

Importance: 0.45

83 species

-25% vs. current

Auburn Hills

Importance: 0.44

80 species

-22% vs. current

Novi

Importance: 0.43

26 species

+138% 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

#15

Regional Rank

Out of 58 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common19 species

Occasional18 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#15 of 58 locations

74th percentile for diversity

vs. Southfield

-38% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 62 total documented species.

Toxicodendron vernix

poison sumac

Very Common5 obs.

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Perfoliate Thoroughwort

Very Common3 obs.

Ilex verticillata

Winterberry

Very Common3 obs.

Larix laricina

Tamarack

Very Common3 obs.

Vaccinium angustifolium

Sweet Lowbush Blueberry

Very Common2 obs.

Solidago caesia

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod

Common2 obs.

Thuja occidentalis

White Cedar

Common2 obs.

Decodon verticillatus

Hairy Swamp Loosestrife

Common2 obs.

Portulaca oleracea

common purslane

Common2 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Common1 obs.

Bombus impatiens

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Common1 obs.

Prenolepis imparis

Small Honey Ant

Occasional1 obs.

Utterbackia imbecillis

paper pondshell

Occasional1 obs.

Libellula luctuosa

Widow Skimmer

Occasional1 obs.

Melanoplus bivittatus

Twostriped Grasshopper

Occasional1 obs.

Rabdophaga strobiloides

Occasional1 obs.

Sympetrum vicinum

Autumn Meadowhawk

Occasional1 obs.

Spilosoma virginica

Yellow Woolly Bear

Rare1 obs.

Photinus pyralis

Big Dipper Firefly

Rare1 obs.

Peltodytes muticus

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 62 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.