Mono Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Mono Lake ecosystem supports 41 documented wildlife species across 39 taxonomic genera. Located in Mono County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 9 frequently observed species and 8 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Mono County nearby has 59% more documented species, Mono Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 31 Mono County County natural areas, placing it in the 94th 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 31 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common9 species

Common12 species

Occasional12 species

Rare8 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 31 locations

94th percentile for diversity

vs. Mono County

-59% 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 41 total documented species.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Very Common14 obs.

Larus californicus

California Gull

Very Common13 obs.

Cirrula hians

Very Common12 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common6 obs.

Tachycineta thalassina

Violet-green Swallow

Very Common5 obs.

Cleomella parviflora

Common4 obs.

Solidago spectabilis

Showy Goldenrod

Common2 obs.

Epilobium ciliatum

american willowherb

Common2 obs.

Recurvirostra americana

American avocet

Common2 obs.

Phalaropus tricolor

wilson’s phalarope

Common2 obs.

Castilleja minor

seep paintbrush

Common2 obs.

Distichlis spicata

Saltgrass

Occasional2 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Occasional2 obs.

Plegadis chihi

White-faced Ibis

Occasional2 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Occasional1 obs.

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Occasional1 obs.

Calidris mauri

Western Sandpiper

Occasional1 obs.

Pituophis catenifer

Bullsnake [sayi]

Rare1 obs.

Hyles lineata

White-lined sphinx

Rare1 obs.

Polistes aurifer

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+156%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mono County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Mono County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-59% vs. current

Dechambeau Ponds

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+413% vs. current

Dechambeau Ponds

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+720% vs. current

Lake George

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+925% vs. current

Dechambeau Ponds

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+1267% vs. current

McLeod Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% vs. current

Grant Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% vs. current

Crystal Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% 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 Mono 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

+156%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Mono County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Mono County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-59% vs. current

Dechambeau Ponds

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+413% vs. current

Dechambeau Ponds

Importance: 0.35

5 species

+720% vs. current

Lake George

Importance: 0.35

4 species

+925% vs. current

Dechambeau Ponds

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+1267% vs. current

McLeod Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% vs. current

Grant Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% vs. current

Crystal Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+1950% 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 31 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common9 species

Common12 species

Occasional12 species

Rare8 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 31 locations

94th percentile for diversity

vs. Mono County

-59% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 41 total documented species.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Very Common14 obs.

Larus californicus

California Gull

Very Common13 obs.

Cirrula hians

Very Common12 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Very Common6 obs.

Tachycineta thalassina

Violet-green Swallow

Very Common5 obs.

Cleomella parviflora

Common4 obs.

Solidago spectabilis

Showy Goldenrod

Common2 obs.

Epilobium ciliatum

american willowherb

Common2 obs.

Recurvirostra americana

American avocet

Common2 obs.

Phalaropus tricolor

wilson’s phalarope

Common2 obs.

Castilleja minor

seep paintbrush

Common2 obs.

Distichlis spicata

Saltgrass

Occasional2 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Occasional2 obs.

Plegadis chihi

White-faced Ibis

Occasional2 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Occasional1 obs.

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Occasional1 obs.

Calidris mauri

Western Sandpiper

Occasional1 obs.

Pituophis catenifer

Bullsnake [sayi]

Rare1 obs.

Hyles lineata

White-lined sphinx

Rare1 obs.

Polistes aurifer

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 41 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.