refugium

American  

[ri-fyoo-jee-uhm] / rɪˈfyu dʒi əm /

noun

plural

refugia

1. an area where special environmental circumstances have enabled a species or a community of species to survive after extinction in surrounding areas.

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refugium British  

/ rɪˈfjuːdʒɪəm /

noun

1. a geographical region that has remained unaltered by a climatic change affecting surrounding regions and that therefore forms a haven for relict fauna and flora

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Etymology

Origin of refugium

From Latin, dating back to 1900–05; refuge

Example Sentences

“We expected Italy to be a climate refugium, but there’s a sharp and complete turnover—it’s a big surprise,” Posth says.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 1, 2023

“It’s interesting to think about whether sub-Saharan African foragers were mapping onto a kind of refugium model.”

From Science Magazine • Feb. 23, 2022

“The paleoecological data is consistent with the idea of a refugium, and the wood might be a key variable,” he said in an interview.

From New York Times • Mar. 12, 2014

The region has been an Arctic refugium from warming due to the persistence of sea ice on Hudson Bay, the largest northern inland sea, that provides natural cooling.

From Scientific American • Nov. 7, 2013

Raymond bent and kissed the cold brow, then, amid the solemn voice of the priest reciting the psalm, Domine, refugium, the body of the brave old master-bowman was laid to rest.

From The Winning of the Golden Spurs by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)