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 30 Amelanchier berries DHJanzen100939.jpg high resolution
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| The berries that the bear had been harvesting before the meal of ants and their nest material were those from this low shrubby tree, Amelanchier (Rosaceae, the apple family), covered with ripe red to purple sweet berries. At first glance they would appear to be classic bird-dispersed, and birds probably do generate a substantial part of the Amelanchier seed shadow. However, in contrast to the highly diffuse and widespread seed shadow to be generated by many individual birds, each eating a few fruits, the bear would deposit thousands of seeds in a few places, and many of those would be along trails. | ||
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