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Biodiversity Insights > The Biodiversity of California The extraordinary biological diversity of California is vividly depicted in Atlas of the Biodiversity of California, a new book from the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). 
The 112-page atlas draws extensively on data and analysis from the California Natural Diversity Database, a NatureServe member program, as well as many other sources. The atlas details the Golden State's biological resources, covering a wide array of terrestrial and aquatic animals, plants, and habitats. It explains the state's remarkable geography, shows how biodiversity is measured, and provides examples of the complexity and uniqueness of many of California's treasured wildlife habitats. The book's visually stunning maps, photographs, and illustrations depict the state's rich diversity of plant and animal species. California is a remarkable state biologically, ranking at or near the top among the 50 states in nearly every category of biodiversity (see table below). Often referred to as an ecological island, separated by high mountains from the rest of the continent, California's biological diversity is the product of the variability of its landforms, climate, and soil types. From this physical complexity, an array of specialized habitat types has developed, leading to the evolution of a highly distinctive flora and fauna.
Text adapted from material provided by the DFG and from the NatureServe report States of the Union: Ranking America's Biodiversity (2002). Table adapted from States of the Union. Map graphics provided courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).
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