Ocean County

Ecosystem Overview

The Ocean County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 83 taxonomic genera. Located in Ocean County, New Jersey, 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. Compared to nearby Lakehurst, Ocean County hosts 1150% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 33 Ocean County County natural areas, placing it in the 97th 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 33 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 33 locations

97th percentile for diversity

vs. Lakehurst

+1150% 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.

Pinus rigida

pitch pine

Very Common53 obs.

Clangula hyemalis

long-tailed duck

Very Common42 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common38 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Very Common31 obs.

Drosera intermedia

oblong-leaved sundew

Very Common29 obs.

Somateria mollissima

Common Eider

Common28 obs.

Calidris maritima

Purple Sandpiper

Common28 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Common24 obs.

Calidris alpina

dunlin

Common23 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common21 obs.

Pinus strobus

White Pine

Common20 obs.

Enneacanthus obesus

Banded Sunfish

Occasional19 obs.

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Cranberry

Occasional19 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional18 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Occasional17 obs.

Solidago sempervirens

Evergreen Goldenrod

Occasional16 obs.

Pogonia ophioglossoides

Rose Pogonia

Occasional15 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Rare15 obs.

Ilex glabra

Evergreen Winterberry

Rare15 obs.

Quercus marilandica

blackjack oak

Rare15 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 Ocean County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+75%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ocean County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Lakehurst

Importance: 0.40

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Point Pleasant

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Seaside Heights

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Tuckerton

Importance: 0.35

35 species

+186% vs. current

Jackson Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Berkeley Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Lacey Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Little Egg Harbor Township

Importance: 0.35

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 Ocean 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

+75%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Ocean County County, New Jersey

Nearby Natural Areas

Lakehurst

Importance: 0.40

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Point Pleasant

Importance: 0.36

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Seaside Heights

Importance: 0.36

5 species

+1900% vs. current

Tuckerton

Importance: 0.35

35 species

+186% vs. current

Jackson Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Berkeley Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Lacey Township

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Little Egg Harbor Township

Importance: 0.35

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 33 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 33 locations

97th percentile for diversity

vs. Lakehurst

+1150% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Pinus rigida

pitch pine

Very Common53 obs.

Clangula hyemalis

long-tailed duck

Very Common42 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common38 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Very Common31 obs.

Drosera intermedia

oblong-leaved sundew

Very Common29 obs.

Somateria mollissima

Common Eider

Common28 obs.

Calidris maritima

Purple Sandpiper

Common28 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Common24 obs.

Calidris alpina

dunlin

Common23 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common21 obs.

Pinus strobus

White Pine

Common20 obs.

Enneacanthus obesus

Banded Sunfish

Occasional19 obs.

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Cranberry

Occasional19 obs.

Larus marinus

great black-backed gull

Occasional18 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Occasional17 obs.

Solidago sempervirens

Evergreen Goldenrod

Occasional16 obs.

Pogonia ophioglossoides

Rose Pogonia

Occasional15 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Rare15 obs.

Ilex glabra

Evergreen Winterberry

Rare15 obs.

Quercus marilandica

blackjack oak

Rare15 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.