endemism Situation in which a species or other taxonomic group (see CLASSIFICATION; and TAXONOMY) is restricted to a particular geographic region, due to factors such as isolation or response to soil or climatic conditions. Such a taxon is said to be endemic to that region. The size of the region in this context will usually depend on the status of the taxon: thus a family will be endemic to a much larger area than a species, all other things being equal. Reference is frequently made to ‘narrow endemics’, i.e. taxa with markedly restricted ranges. Some of these are evolutionary relics, such as the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), the only surviving species of the Ginkgoales, confined to Chekiang Province, China, where it was discovered in 1758.

endemism A situation in which a species or other taxonomic group is restricted to a particular geographic region, owing to factors such as isolation or in response to soil or climatic conditions. Such a taxon is said to be endemic to that region. The size of the region in this context will usually depend on the status of the taxon; thus, a family will be endemic to a much larger area than a species, all other things being equal. Reference is frequently made to ‘narrow endemics’, i.e. taxa with markedly restricted ranges. Some of these are evolutionary relics, such as the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), a single species within a single genus which is confined to Chekiang Province, China, where it was discovered in 1758.

endemism The situation in which a species or other taxonomic group is restricted to a particular geographic region, owing to factors such as isolation or response to soil or climatic conditions. Such a taxon is said to be endemic to that region. The size of the region in this context will usually depend on the status of the taxon: thus a family will be endemic to a much larger area than a species, all other things being equal. Reference is frequently made to ‘narrow endemics’ (i.e. taxa with markedly restricted ranges). Some of these are evolutionary relics, such as the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), a single species within a single genus which is confined to Chekiang Province, China, where it was discovered in 1758.

endemism The situation in which a species or other taxonomic group is restricted to a particular geographic region, due to factors such as isolation or response to soil or climatic conditions. Such a taxon is said to be endemic to that region. The size of the region in this context will usually depend on the status of the taxon: thus a family will be endemic to a much larger area than a species, all other things being equal.