Lake County

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 80 taxonomic genera. Located in Lake County, Indiana, 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 #1 for species diversity among 10 Lake County County natural areas, placing it in the 90th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 10 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Gary

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.

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Very Common9 obs.

Lupinus perennis

Blue-Bean

Very Common8 obs.

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

Very Common8 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Very Common6 obs.

Dipsacus fullonum

teasel

Very Common6 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Common5 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony

Common5 obs.

Prunella vulgaris

selfheal

Common5 obs.

Silphium laciniatum

pilot weed

Common5 obs.

Trifolium repens

Dutch clover

Common5 obs.

Asclepias sullivantii

smooth milkweed

Common4 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Occasional4 obs.

Pontederia cordata

pickerelweed

Occasional4 obs.

Rhus aromatica

Squawbush

Occasional4 obs.

Morone americana

White perch

Occasional4 obs.

Inosperma lanatodiscum

Occasional4 obs.

Silphium terebinthinaceum

dock-rosinweed

Occasional4 obs.

Phragmites australis

Common Reed

Rare4 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Rare3 obs.

Papilio glaucus

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Rare3 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 Lake County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+223%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Indiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Gary

Importance: 0.66

100 species

0% vs. current

Hammond

Importance: 0.47

97 species

+3% vs. current

East Chicago

Importance: 0.42

21 species

+376% vs. current

Crown Point

Importance: 0.41

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Schererville

Importance: 0.40

19 species

+426% vs. current

Highland

Importance: 0.39

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Cedar Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Whiting

Importance: 0.34

2 species

+4900% 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 Lake 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

+223%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lake County County, Indiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Gary

Importance: 0.66

100 species

0% vs. current

Hammond

Importance: 0.47

97 species

+3% vs. current

East Chicago

Importance: 0.42

21 species

+376% vs. current

Crown Point

Importance: 0.41

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Schererville

Importance: 0.40

19 species

+426% vs. current

Highland

Importance: 0.39

4 species

+2400% vs. current

Cedar Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Whiting

Importance: 0.34

2 species

+4900% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 10 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Gary

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Asclepias syriaca

Virginia-Silk

Very Common9 obs.

Lupinus perennis

Blue-Bean

Very Common8 obs.

Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

Very Common8 obs.

Morus alba

White mulberry

Very Common6 obs.

Dipsacus fullonum

teasel

Very Common6 obs.

Asclepias tuberosa

Chieger-Flower

Common5 obs.

Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony

Common5 obs.

Prunella vulgaris

selfheal

Common5 obs.

Silphium laciniatum

pilot weed

Common5 obs.

Trifolium repens

Dutch clover

Common5 obs.

Asclepias sullivantii

smooth milkweed

Common4 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Occasional4 obs.

Pontederia cordata

pickerelweed

Occasional4 obs.

Rhus aromatica

Squawbush

Occasional4 obs.

Morone americana

White perch

Occasional4 obs.

Inosperma lanatodiscum

Occasional4 obs.

Silphium terebinthinaceum

dock-rosinweed

Occasional4 obs.

Phragmites australis

Common Reed

Rare4 obs.

Verbena stricta

Mullein-Leaved Vervain

Rare3 obs.

Papilio glaucus

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Rare3 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.