T
he wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ) is symbolic of the southeastern United States , particularly along the South Carolina coast . Their striking appearance , intricate social behaviors , and essential role within the ecosystem , makes them an indicator of the overall health and abundance of the environment .
Wild turkeys are more than iconic , they ’ re a keystone species — their presence on a landscape creates the opportunity for other species to flourish . Through foraging for acorns , seeds , and insects , turkeys disturb the soil and spread seeds . This disruption is a key part of maintaining plant diversity , which supports a variety of other wildlife .
Land managers and conservationists consider wild turkeys an umbrella species , meaning they look to preserve the range of habitats required by wild turkeys , knowing that if the turkey flourishes so will many other species within the ecological community . The South Carolina coast provides a unique mix of environments that benefit turkeys , ranging from mature forests to open fields and wetlands .
“ Turkeys like open fields and low-lying grassy areas where they can eat grubs in the ground , but they don ’ t spend time in dense thickets ,” says Collie Farah , land preservation specialist for the Kiawah Conservancy . “ On Kiawah , you can find them on Cougar Point and Cassique [ golf courses ] because they are adjacent to undeveloped land and pond edges . They often roost on undeveloped parts of Seabrook Island .”
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