Lokalit

Lokalit is a term used in several languages to denote a location, site, or place. In English, the closest common word is locality; the form lokalit or lokalita appears in German and various Slavic languages, and the concept is linked to the Latin localitas, through French localité and other successors. The word broadly covers any specific place used for reference, study, or visitation.

In archaeology and paleontology, a locality designates a precise source area from which fossils or artifacts were recovered. A locality record typically includes geographic coordinates, the stratigraphic unit or formation, an approximate age or stage, associated material, and collection history. Localities enable scientists to compare fossil assemblages, reconstruct past environments, and assess geographic and temporal patterns of change.

In biology and ecology, locality refers to a geographic area where a species has been observed or collected. Locality data are essential for mapping species distributions, assessing conservation status, and informing ecological research. Databases and data standards, such as Darwin Core, emphasize accurate georeferencing and provenance to ensure that locality information remains reliable across studies and time.

Notable examples of well-known localities include the Burgess Shale locality in British Columbia (Cambrian fossils), the Messel locality in Germany (Eocene fossils), and the La Brea Tar Pits locality in California (Pleistocene fossils). Localities are often documented with care and, in some cases, protected to preserve scientifically valuable sites.

See also: locality record, site, stratigraphy, biodiversity databases.