''Taxonomic inflation'' is a pejorative term for what is perceived to be an excessive increase in the number of recognised

taxa In biology, a taxon (back-formation from ''taxonomy''; plural taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular nam ...

in a given context, due not to the discovery of new taxa but rather to putatively arbitrary changes to how taxa are delineated. The best known case is the elevation of a group of

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

to species

rank Rank is the relative position, value, worth, complexity, power, importance, authority, level, etc. of a person or object within a ranking, such as: Level or position in a hierarchical organization * Academic rank * Diplomatic rank * Hierarchy * H ...

, through the arbitrary decision that the differences between the various taxa warrant distinguishing them at species rank. Taxonomic inflation is often claimed to occur for

conservation Conservation is the preservation or efficient use of resources, or the conservation of various quantities under physical laws. Conservation may also refer to: Environment and natural resources * Nature conservation, the protection and manageme ...

reasons. It may be difficult to make a case for the protection of an isolated and unusual population of a common and widespread

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...

, but it becomes much easier to do so if that population is recognised as a rare

or species.

References

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Inflation In economics, inflation is an increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, inflation corresponds to a reducti ...