Kaskaskia Experimental Forest

Ecosystem Overview

The Kaskaskia Experimental Forest ecosystem supports 16 documented wildlife species across 16 taxonomic genera. Located in Hardin County, Illinois, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Hardin County nearby has 78% more documented species, Kaskaskia Experimental Forest offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #46 for species diversity among 100 Hardin County County natural areas, placing it in the 54th 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

#46

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#46 of 100 locations

54th percentile for diversity

vs. Hardin County

-78% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 16 total documented species.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Very Common0.62 obs.

Estigmene acrea

Salt Marsh Moth

Very Common0.5 obs.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Ragweed

Very Common0.23 obs.

Eupatorium serotinum

Fall Boneset

Very Common0.23 obs.

Coluber constrictor

Racer

Very Common0.12 obs.

Impatiens capensis

Snapweed

Common0.07 obs.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tuliptree

Common0.06 obs.

Dioscorea villosa

Wild Yam

Common0.04 obs.

Asterocampa celtis

Hackberry Emperor

Common0.02 obs.

Lethe anthedon

Northern Pearly-Eye

Common0.02 obs.

Phyllocnistis vitifoliella

Grape Leaf-Miner Moth

Common0.02 obs.

Verbesina helianthoides

Occasional0.02 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

Pillbug

Occasional0.02 obs.

Ruellia pedunculata

Occasional0.02 obs.

Agromyza vockerothi

Occasional0.02 obs.

Falco sparverius

Killy-Killy

Occasional0.02 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 16 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.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Kaskaskia Experimental Forest. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-38%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hardin County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Hardin County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-78% vs. current

Cave-in-rock

Importance: 0.70

14 species

+14% vs. current

Elizabethtown

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+100% vs. current

Rosiclare

Importance: 0.70

7 species

+129% vs. current

Cave In Rock State Park

Importance: 0.60

14 species

+14% vs. current

Sparks Hill

Importance: 0.50

62 species

-74% vs. current

Karbers Ridge

Importance: 0.50

14 species

+14% vs. current

Cave-in-rock

Importance: 0.50

14 species

+14% 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 Hardin County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-38%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hardin County County, Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Hardin County

Importance: 0.80

74 species

-78% vs. current

Cave-in-rock

Importance: 0.70

14 species

+14% vs. current

Elizabethtown

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+100% vs. current

Rosiclare

Importance: 0.70

7 species

+129% vs. current

Cave In Rock State Park

Importance: 0.60

14 species

+14% vs. current

Sparks Hill

Importance: 0.50

62 species

-74% vs. current

Karbers Ridge

Importance: 0.50

14 species

+14% vs. current

Cave-in-rock

Importance: 0.50

14 species

+14% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 16 total documented species.

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

Very Common0.62 obs.

Estigmene acrea

Salt Marsh Moth

Very Common0.5 obs.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Ragweed

Very Common0.23 obs.

Eupatorium serotinum

Fall Boneset

Very Common0.23 obs.

Coluber constrictor

Racer

Very Common0.12 obs.

Impatiens capensis

Snapweed

Common0.07 obs.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tuliptree

Common0.06 obs.

Dioscorea villosa

Wild Yam

Common0.04 obs.

Asterocampa celtis

Hackberry Emperor

Common0.02 obs.

Lethe anthedon

Northern Pearly-Eye

Common0.02 obs.

Phyllocnistis vitifoliella

Grape Leaf-Miner Moth

Common0.02 obs.

Verbesina helianthoides

Occasional0.02 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

Pillbug

Occasional0.02 obs.

Ruellia pedunculata

Occasional0.02 obs.

Agromyza vockerothi

Occasional0.02 obs.

Falco sparverius

Killy-Killy

Occasional0.02 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 16 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.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#46

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common5 species

Occasional4 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#46 of 100 locations

54th percentile for diversity

vs. Hardin County

-78% species diversity