Refugium (population biology)

Imagine you have a tiny house in your backyard filled with all your favorite toys. One day, a big storm comes and your toys get all wet and destroyed. You're really sad and not sure what to do.

But then, your parents build you a special room in the house where you can store all your toys and keep them safe from the bad weather. This room is called a "refugium".

In the same way, a refugium in population biology is a safe space for certain plants or animals to survive and thrive, even when their natural habitat gets damaged or disturbed by things like climate change or human activities. It's like a backup plan for nature to keep important species from going extinct.

Refugia can be found all over the world, from mountains and islands to small ponds and caves. They provide a sanctuary for plants and animals to adjust to new habitats or wait out tough times. By protecting these special places, we can help preserve biodiversity and keep our planet healthy.