1. an area where relict populations of organisms survive through periods of regional climatic change
Usage: biology; ecology

Examples

• The mountain valley served as a refugium for ancient plant species during the ice age.
• Scientists discovered that the isolated forest was a refugium for endangered butterflies.
• Many refugia in tropical regions preserved biodiversity through climate fluctuations.
• The cave system acted as a refugium for bats during harsh winters.
• Researchers study refugia to understand how species survived past environmental changes.
• The coastal refugium protected marine organisms from temperature extremes.