Autochthonous

Autochthonous (from the Greek autochthon - local) is a term used to describe the indigenous peoples or species of plants and animals originally inhabiting an area.

Autochthonous peoples are those peoples who originally inhabited a given area and are its original inhabitants. For example, the Indians in America are considered an autochthonous population, since they lived in this territory long before the arrival of Europeans.

In biology, the term autochthonous is used to refer to species of plants and animals that have naturally evolved in a given region. Autochthonous species are part of local ecosystems and play an important role in maintaining their integrity and balance. For example, the brown bear is considered an autochthonous species for the taiga, since it is adapted to the conditions of this habitat.

Thus, the term “autochthonous” emphasizes the connection of peoples, plants and animals with a certain territory, their indigenous origin and belonging to local ecosystems. Autochthony is important for the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.