San Nicolas Island

Ecosystem Overview

The San Nicolas Island ecosystem supports 83 documented wildlife species across 78 taxonomic genera. Located in Ventura County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 17 frequently observed species and 16 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Oxnard nearby has 17% more documented species, San Nicolas Island offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #8 for species diversity among 21 Ventura County County natural areas, placing it in the 62th 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common25 species

Occasional25 species

Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 21 locations

62th percentile for diversity

vs. Oxnard

-17% 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 83 total documented species.

Crassula connata

sand pygmyweed

Very Common5 obs.

Mirounga angustirostris

Northern Elephant Seal

Very Common5 obs.

Isocoma menziesii

Very Common4 obs.

Dipterostemon capitatus

Very Common3 obs.

Niebla cephalota

Very Common3 obs.

Rumina decollata

decollate snail

Common3 obs.

Castilleja densiflora

dense-flower Indian paintbrush

Common3 obs.

Ambrosia chamissonis

beachbur

Common3 obs.

Sanicula arguta

Common3 obs.

Coccinella californica

Common3 obs.

Battarrea phalloides

Sandy Stiltball

Common3 obs.

Targionia hypophylla

Orobus-seed Liverwort

Occasional3 obs.

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum

Slenderleaf iceplant

Occasional2 obs.

Dictyocephalos attenuatus

Occasional2 obs.

Lasthenia gracilis

needle goldfields

Occasional2 obs.

Baccharis pilularis

coyotebrush

Occasional2 obs.

Artemisia californica

California sagebrush

Occasional2 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Rare2 obs.

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

common iceplant

Rare2 obs.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Rare2 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 San Nicolas Island. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ventura County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Oxnard

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-17% vs. current

Ventura County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-17% vs. current

Simi Valley

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-17% vs. current

Ojai

Importance: 0.42

79 species

+5% vs. current

Camarillo

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-17% vs. current

Moorpark

Importance: 0.37

80 species

+4% vs. current

Santa Paula

Importance: 0.36

53 species

+57% vs. current

Port Hueneme

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+207% 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 Ventura 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

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ventura County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Oxnard

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-17% vs. current

Ventura County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-17% vs. current

Simi Valley

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-17% vs. current

Ojai

Importance: 0.42

79 species

+5% vs. current

Camarillo

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-17% vs. current

Moorpark

Importance: 0.37

80 species

+4% vs. current

Santa Paula

Importance: 0.36

53 species

+57% vs. current

Port Hueneme

Importance: 0.35

27 species

+207% 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 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common25 species

Occasional25 species

Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 21 locations

62th percentile for diversity

vs. Oxnard

-17% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 83 total documented species.

Crassula connata

sand pygmyweed

Very Common5 obs.

Mirounga angustirostris

Northern Elephant Seal

Very Common5 obs.

Isocoma menziesii

Very Common4 obs.

Dipterostemon capitatus

Very Common3 obs.

Niebla cephalota

Very Common3 obs.

Rumina decollata

decollate snail

Common3 obs.

Castilleja densiflora

dense-flower Indian paintbrush

Common3 obs.

Ambrosia chamissonis

beachbur

Common3 obs.

Sanicula arguta

Common3 obs.

Coccinella californica

Common3 obs.

Battarrea phalloides

Sandy Stiltball

Common3 obs.

Targionia hypophylla

Orobus-seed Liverwort

Occasional3 obs.

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum

Slenderleaf iceplant

Occasional2 obs.

Dictyocephalos attenuatus

Occasional2 obs.

Lasthenia gracilis

needle goldfields

Occasional2 obs.

Baccharis pilularis

coyotebrush

Occasional2 obs.

Artemisia californica

California sagebrush

Occasional2 obs.

Achillea millefolium

yarrow, milfoil

Rare2 obs.

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

common iceplant

Rare2 obs.

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 83 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.