
CHAPTER 8
Soil Endemism and its
Importance to Taxonomic
Pedodiversity
James G. Bockheim* and Nicholas Haus
1. Evolution of the Concept of Soil Endemism
Endemism is a key concept in ecology and refers to naturally occurring
plant or animal species that are confi ned to a particular geographic area
(Magurran 1988). Endemism may occur at any scale and normally involves
isolation of individual species, groups of species or entire communities.
Isolation may be due to displacement by continental drift, island building,
long-term stability of landforms and other causes.
Biogeographers recognize three kinds of endemism: (1) edaphic
endemism refers to species ...