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Scotts Valley

Ecosystem Overview

The Scotts Valley ecosystem supports 85 documented wildlife species across 76 taxonomic genera. Located in santa cruz county, california, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 18 frequently observed species and 16 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Santa Cruz nearby has 15% more documented species, Scotts Valley offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 15 santa cruz county County natural areas, placing it in the 80th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

85
Total Species
Documented wildlife species
76
Genus Diversity
Taxonomic genera represented
43
Common Species
Frequently observed species
42
Rare Species
Occasionally documented species
#3
Regional Rank
Out of 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common18 species
Common25 species
Occasional26 species
Rare16 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking
#3 of 15 locations
80th percentile for diversity
vs. Santa Cruz
-15% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 85 total documented species.

Taraxia ovata

Taraxia ovata

goldeneggs

Very Common8 obs.
Calandrinia menziesii

Calandrinia menziesii

Very Common7 obs.
Eschscholzia californica

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Very Common3 obs.
Aesculus californica

Aesculus californica

California buckeye

Very Common3 obs.
Erodium cicutarium

Erodium cicutarium

Common Stork'S-Bill

Very Common3 obs.
Vicia sativa

Vicia sativa

Garden vetch

Common3 obs.
Sylvilagus bachmani

Sylvilagus bachmani

Brush Rabbit

Common3 obs.
Rubus ursinus

Rubus ursinus

California blackberry

Common2 obs.
Arbutus menziesii

Arbutus menziesii

Pacific madrone

Common2 obs.
Brodiaea elegans

Brodiaea elegans

elegant cluster-lily

Common2 obs.
Calochortus albus

Calochortus albus

fairy-lantern

Common2 obs.
Stellaria media

Stellaria media

Common chickweed

Occasional2 obs.
Actinemys marmorata

Actinemys marmorata

western pond turtle

Occasional2 obs.
Hypochaeris glabra

Hypochaeris glabra

Flatweed

Occasional2 obs.
Trifolium subterraneum

Trifolium subterraneum

subterranean clover

Occasional2 obs.
Viola ocellata

Viola ocellata

western heart's ease

Occasional2 obs.
Sidalcea malviflora

Sidalcea malviflora

Greek Mallow

Occasional2 obs.
Trifolium hirtum

Trifolium hirtum

Rose Clover

Rare2 obs.
Batrachoseps attenuatus

Batrachoseps attenuatus

California Slender Salamander

Rare2 obs.
Ariolimax dolichophallus

Ariolimax dolichophallus

Slender banana slug

Rare2 obs.

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No comparable locations found in this region.

Nearby Wildlife Areas in Santa Cruz County

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

Regional Wildlife Network

These nearby locations complement Scotts Valleywithin Santa Cruz County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.

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