Elkhorn Wilderness Study Area

Ecosystem Overview

The Elkhorn Wilderness Study Area ecosystem supports 49 documented wildlife species across 45 taxonomic genera. Located in Jefferson County, Montana, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 10 frequently observed species and 9 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Jefferson County nearby has 34% more documented species, Elkhorn Wilderness Study Area offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #22 for species diversity among 100 Jefferson County County natural areas, placing it in the 78th 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

#22

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common10 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#22 of 100 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Jefferson County

-34% 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 49 total documented species.

Liatris punctata

Plains Gayfeather

Very Common1.64 obs.

Berteroa incana

Hoary Alison

Very Common1.48 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Beebalm

Very Common0.52 obs.

Limenitis weidemeyerii

Weidemeyer'S Admiral

Very Common0.51 obs.

Zea mays

Corn

Very Common0.32 obs.

Polygonum aviculare

Doorweed

Common0.2 obs.

Lewisia rediviva

Oregon Bitterroot

Common0.17 obs.

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

American Licorice

Common0.13 obs.

Viola adunca

Blue Violet

Common0.12 obs.

Glaucidium gnoma

Mountain Pygmy Owl

Common0.12 obs.

Ribes aureum

Golden Currant

Common0.11 obs.

Melanoplus bivittatus

Yellow-Striped Locust

Occasional0.11 obs.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Fireweed

Occasional0.1 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Red Squirrel

Occasional0.1 obs.

Iphthiminus serratus

Occasional0.1 obs.

Lepidium draba

Whitetop

Occasional0.09 obs.

Clematis hirsutissima

Occasional0.09 obs.

Glaucopsyche lygdamus

Silvery Blue

Rare0.08 obs.

Corallorhiza maculata

Large Coralroot

Rare0.08 obs.

Eriogonum flavum

Yellow Buckwheat

Rare0.08 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+88%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Jefferson County County, Montana

Nearby Natural Areas

Jefferson County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-34% vs. current

Bureau Of Land Mgmt

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-39% vs. current

Black Sage Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

28 species

+75% vs. current

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

in Whitehall

Importance: 0.70

9 species

+444% vs. current

Whitehall

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+513% vs. current

Boulder

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+2350% vs. current

State Of Montana

Importance: 0.60

3 species

+1533% vs. current

Boulder

Importance: 0.60

2 species

+2350% 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 Jefferson 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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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 49 total documented species.

Liatris punctata

Plains Gayfeather

Very Common1.64 obs.

Berteroa incana

Hoary Alison

Very Common1.48 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Beebalm

Very Common0.52 obs.

Limenitis weidemeyerii

Weidemeyer'S Admiral

Very Common0.51 obs.

Zea mays

Corn

Very Common0.32 obs.

Polygonum aviculare

Doorweed

Common0.2 obs.

Lewisia rediviva

Oregon Bitterroot

Common0.17 obs.

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

American Licorice

Common0.13 obs.

Viola adunca

Blue Violet

Common0.12 obs.

Glaucidium gnoma

Mountain Pygmy Owl

Common0.12 obs.

Ribes aureum

Golden Currant

Common0.11 obs.

Melanoplus bivittatus

Yellow-Striped Locust

Occasional0.11 obs.

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Fireweed

Occasional0.1 obs.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Red Squirrel

Occasional0.1 obs.

Iphthiminus serratus

Occasional0.1 obs.

Lepidium draba

Whitetop

Occasional0.09 obs.

Clematis hirsutissima

Occasional0.09 obs.

Glaucopsyche lygdamus

Silvery Blue

Rare0.08 obs.

Corallorhiza maculata

Large Coralroot

Rare0.08 obs.

Eriogonum flavum

Yellow Buckwheat

Rare0.08 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 49 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.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+88%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Jefferson County County, Montana

Nearby Natural Areas

Jefferson County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-34% vs. current

Bureau Of Land Mgmt

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-39% vs. current

Black Sage Wilderness Study Area

Importance: 0.70

28 species

+75% vs. current

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

in Whitehall

Importance: 0.70

9 species

+444% vs. current

Whitehall

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+513% vs. current

Boulder

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+2350% vs. current

State Of Montana

Importance: 0.60

3 species

+1533% vs. current

Boulder

Importance: 0.60

2 species

+2350% 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

#22

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common10 species

Common15 species

Occasional15 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#22 of 100 locations

78th percentile for diversity

vs. Jefferson County

-34% species diversity