Mesita Blanca Wilderness Study Area

Ecosystem Overview

The Mesita Blanca Wilderness Study Area ecosystem supports 34 documented wildlife species across 32 taxonomic genera. Located in Catron County, New Mexico, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 7 frequently observed species and 6 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Catron County nearby has 57% more documented species, Mesita Blanca Wilderness Study Area offers unique wildlife observation opportunities.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common11 species

Occasional10 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

vs. Catron County

-57% 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 34 total documented species.

Pinus edulis

Pinyon Pine

Very Common1.8 obs.

Antilocapra americana

Antelope

Very Common1.66 obs.

Juniperus monosperma

One-Seed Juniper

Very Common0.93 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing Saltbush

Very Common0.47 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Mullein

Very Common0.45 obs.

Krascheninnikovia lanata

Winterfat

Common0.41 obs.

Bouteloua gracilis

Blue Grama

Common0.4 obs.

Elymus elymoides

Squirreltail

Common0.35 obs.

Eremophila alpestris

Shorelark

Common0.33 obs.

Cylindropuntia whipplei

Common0.3 obs.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

Moss-Rose

Common0.17 obs.

Buteo swainsoni

Swainson'S Hawk

Occasional0.14 obs.

Vulpes macrotis

Kit Fox

Occasional0.12 obs.

Holbrookia maculata

Lesser Earless Lizard

Occasional0.11 obs.

Castilleja integra

Occasional0.11 obs.

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Pinyon Jay

Occasional0.1 obs.

Lepus californicus

Eselhase

Occasional0.09 obs.

Lycium pallidum

Rare0.09 obs.

Phaseolus angustissimus

Slimleaf Bean

Rare0.08 obs.

Tidestromia lanuginosa

Woolly Tidestromia

Rare0.06 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-42%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Catron County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Catron County

Importance: 0.80

80 species

-57% vs. current

Lower San Francisco Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-57% vs. current

Blue Range Wilderness

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-57% vs. current

Pelona Mountain Area Of Critical Environmental Concern

Importance: 0.70

78 species

-56% vs. current

Continental Divide Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

72 species

-53% vs. current

Eagle Peak Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

36 species

-6% vs. current

Reserve

Importance: 0.70

33 species

+3% vs. current

Horse Mountain Area Of Critical Environmental Concern

Importance: 0.70

12 species

+183% 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 Catron 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

-42%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Catron County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Catron County

Importance: 0.80

80 species

-57% vs. current

Lower San Francisco Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-57% vs. current

Blue Range Wilderness

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-57% vs. current

Pelona Mountain Area Of Critical Environmental Concern

Importance: 0.70

78 species

-56% vs. current

Continental Divide Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

72 species

-53% vs. current

Eagle Peak Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

36 species

-6% vs. current

Reserve

Importance: 0.70

33 species

+3% vs. current

Horse Mountain Area Of Critical Environmental Concern

Importance: 0.70

12 species

+183% 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

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common11 species

Occasional10 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

vs. Catron County

-57% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 34 total documented species.

Pinus edulis

Pinyon Pine

Very Common1.8 obs.

Antilocapra americana

Antelope

Very Common1.66 obs.

Juniperus monosperma

One-Seed Juniper

Very Common0.93 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing Saltbush

Very Common0.47 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Mullein

Very Common0.45 obs.

Krascheninnikovia lanata

Winterfat

Common0.41 obs.

Bouteloua gracilis

Blue Grama

Common0.4 obs.

Elymus elymoides

Squirreltail

Common0.35 obs.

Eremophila alpestris

Shorelark

Common0.33 obs.

Cylindropuntia whipplei

Common0.3 obs.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

Moss-Rose

Common0.17 obs.

Buteo swainsoni

Swainson'S Hawk

Occasional0.14 obs.

Vulpes macrotis

Kit Fox

Occasional0.12 obs.

Holbrookia maculata

Lesser Earless Lizard

Occasional0.11 obs.

Castilleja integra

Occasional0.11 obs.

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Pinyon Jay

Occasional0.1 obs.

Lepus californicus

Eselhase

Occasional0.09 obs.

Lycium pallidum

Rare0.09 obs.

Phaseolus angustissimus

Slimleaf Bean

Rare0.08 obs.

Tidestromia lanuginosa

Woolly Tidestromia

Rare0.06 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 34 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.