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Atascadero Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Atascadero Lake ecosystem supports 17 documented wildlife species across 16 taxonomic genera. Located in san luis obispo county, california, 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 San Luis Obispo nearby has 83% more documented species, Atascadero Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #16 for species diversity among 22 san luis obispo county County natural areas, placing it in the 27th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

17
Total Species
Documented wildlife species
16
Genus Diversity
Taxonomic genera represented
9
Common Species
Frequently observed species
8
Rare Species
Occasionally documented species
#16
Regional Rank
Out of 22 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species
Common5 species
Occasional5 species
Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking
#16 of 22 locations
27th percentile for diversity
vs. San Luis Obispo
-83% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 17 total documented species.

Nycticorax nycticorax

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common3 obs.
Aix sponsa

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common3 obs.
Fulica americana

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common2 obs.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Very Common2 obs.
Trachemys scripta

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Very Common1 obs.
Melanerpes formicivorus

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Common1 obs.
Charadrius vociferus

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Common1 obs.
Buteo jamaicensis

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.
Calidris minutilla

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Common1 obs.
Oxyura jamaicensis

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common1 obs.
Pleurotus ostreatus

Pleurotus ostreatus

Oyster Mushroom

Common1 obs.
Arbutus menziesii

Arbutus menziesii

Pacific madrone

Occasional1 obs.
Schizophyllum commune

Schizophyllum commune

Splitgill Mushroom

Occasional1 obs.
Spatula clypeata

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Occasional1 obs.
Spatula cyanoptera

Spatula cyanoptera

Cinnamon Teal

Occasional1 obs.
Ardea herodias

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional1 obs.
Anas platyrhynchos

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Occasional1 obs.

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No comparable locations found in this region.

Nearby Wildlife Areas in San Luis Obispo County

Discover 8 other wildlife-rich locations near Atascadero Lake. Each offers unique biodiversity and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Regional Wildlife Network

These nearby locations complement Atascadero Lakewithin San Luis Obispo County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.

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