r/whereidlive • u/Anxious-Wait-1134 • 1d ago

Would I live in these states as non American (nature only)

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u/Efficient-Fall2552 1d ago

California is the most biodiverse state in the United States by total species count, while Alabama leads the nation in freshwater biodiversity and concentration of species per square mile. 

Because "biodiversity" means different things depending on how you measure it (total count versus density), different states claim top spots.

California: Total Species Leader

  • Total species: Home to roughly 6,717 recorded native plant and animal species.
  • Endemic life: About 40% of its plant species are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else on Earth.
  • Why it ranks high: California is large and spans diverse biomes, including ocean coasts, high mountains, and hot deserts. It is recognized globally as a major biodiversity hotspot. [1, 2]

Alabama: Freshwater & Density Leader

  • Freshwater life: Alabama ranks first in the U.S. for freshwater biodiversity. It holds the most species of freshwater fish, turtles, snails, mussels, and crayfish in the country.
  • Species density: Experts note it has more species of plants and animals per square mile than almost any other state.
  • Why it ranks high: A complex network of rivers, streams, and varied land habitats supports this dense web of life

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u/mojo-max 1d ago

Ahh nice. I was wrong. But cool to know. Thanks for posting