Santa Catalina Island

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Catalina Island ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in Los Angeles County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 132 Los Angeles County County natural areas, placing it in the 96th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 132 locations

96th percentile for diversity

vs. Pasadena

0% 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 100 total documented species.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common44 obs.

Tetraclita rubescens

Very Common29 obs.

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Very Common20 obs.

Genista linifolia

Mediterranean broom

Very Common20 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Very Common20 obs.

Bison bison

American bison

Common18 obs.

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon

Common17 obs.

Quercus pacifica

Island Scrub Oak

Common16 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common15 obs.

Batrachoseps major

Garden Slender Salamander

Common14 obs.

Calochortus catalinae

Catalina mariposa-lily

Common14 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Occasional13 obs.

Malosma laurina

Occasional12 obs.

Datura wrightii

sacred thorn-apple

Occasional12 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Occasional12 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Occasional11 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Occasional11 obs.

Opuntia littoralis

Coastal Prickly-pear

Rare11 obs.

Asparagus asparagoides

African asparagus fern

Rare11 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Rare10 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 Santa Catalina Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+12%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Los Angeles County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Pasadena

Importance: 0.58

100 species

0% vs. current

Long Beach

Importance: 0.57

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Monica

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Burbank

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Los Angeles County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Beverly Hills

Importance: 0.52

15 species

+567% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Malibu

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% 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 Los Angeles 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

100

Species Count

+12%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Los Angeles County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Pasadena

Importance: 0.58

100 species

0% vs. current

Long Beach

Importance: 0.57

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Monica

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Burbank

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Los Angeles County

Importance: 0.53

100 species

0% vs. current

Beverly Hills

Importance: 0.52

15 species

+567% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

Malibu

Importance: 0.52

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 132 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 132 locations

96th percentile for diversity

vs. Pasadena

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common44 obs.

Tetraclita rubescens

Very Common29 obs.

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Very Common20 obs.

Genista linifolia

Mediterranean broom

Very Common20 obs.

Rhus integrifolia

lemonadeberry

Very Common20 obs.

Bison bison

American bison

Common18 obs.

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Toyon

Common17 obs.

Quercus pacifica

Island Scrub Oak

Common16 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common15 obs.

Batrachoseps major

Garden Slender Salamander

Common14 obs.

Calochortus catalinae

Catalina mariposa-lily

Common14 obs.

Uta stansburiana

Side-blotched Lizard

Occasional13 obs.

Malosma laurina

Occasional12 obs.

Datura wrightii

sacred thorn-apple

Occasional12 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Occasional12 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Occasional11 obs.

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Occasional11 obs.

Opuntia littoralis

Coastal Prickly-pear

Rare11 obs.

Asparagus asparagoides

African asparagus fern

Rare11 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Rare10 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.