What are locally rare species?
Locally rare species are those species that the scientific community considers sensitive or unique or that occur at the limits of their natural range within a specific region (also called peripheral populations). A variety of factors play a role in determining whether a species is considered locally rare. Species-specific characteristics, available suitable habitat, as well as land use activities and practices, all play a role in determining whether a species that is relatively common in one part of its range is rare in another part of its range. Many plant populations are considered locally rare because they occur on the geographic edge of the species range. These peripheral populations are important because they often show morphological and ecological divergence and can be genetically distinct from the main population of the species. These character traits help contribute to the long-term survival of a species. Even very widespread taxa have been brought to near extinction in a short
