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In this episode of NatureScene, Rudy and Jim visit Santee National Wildlife Refuge, located in the upper coastal plain, near Santee, South Carolina. During the springtime, warmer temperatures bring...
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Still at Lake Marion, Rudy and Jim observe the diverse species of birds in the area: Yellow Thwarted Warbler, Northern Parula, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow Rumped Warbler, American Robins, and an Osprey...
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A number of rare species occur in cove forests, including the endangered persistent trillium, Trillium persistens. The species is found in deeply incised coves and gorges (acidic coves) in South...
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Oconee State Park This popular Upcountry state park rests on a high plateau among tall pines and hardwoods in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Among the park's 1,165 acres are two mountain lakes and a...
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A current threat to cove forests is residential development. Steep slopes are cleared, and homes, condominiums and resorts are built.
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The defense compounds of plants generally provide protection from many, but not all, herbivores. Over time, one or more herbivores may
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Leaves often show signs of some damage by herbivores, but only rarely are most or all of the leaves on a given plant eaten. As a result, green leafy plant tissues is abundant in cove forests during...
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The most effective defense against herbivores are chemicals. Leaves, stems and roots often various chemicals that deter herbivores. For example, oaks have bitter-tasting chemicals called tannins that...
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Hairs, spines and thorns occur on leaves and/or stems of certain plants. These mechanical defenses may provide some protection from larger herbivores, such as deer, as well as small insects, such as...
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Herbaceous plants of cove forests, such as violets, trilliums and bloodroots (as well as many others), have ant-dispersed seeds. Such seeds have a small lipid-rich food body attached to the seed. Ants...