Problems with areal definitions of endemism: the effects of spatial scaling

The concept of endemism is useful in changes, scaling of endemism also changes, producing a different picture of endemism for each spatial scale. quantifying the biological uniqueness of an area, and has been used by many authors as a meaningful Moreover, the areal definition assumes equal levels of heterogeneity in different landscapes (clearly a alternative to simple species richness. The traditional definition of endemism includes those species with simplification), which overemphasizes fine-grained regions. Herein, the importance of distinguishing the ranges restricted to a particular region, and therefore is useful only in reference to that region. To compare regional definition (endemism) from the areal definition (range restriction) is emphasized, and investigators are different regions, however, a standardized approach is required, so several authors began using area-based encouraged to consider multiple spatial scales and geographic dimensions in evaluations of biodiversity. definitions. Accordingly, those species with ranges smaller than a particular area (e.g. 50,000 km) are deemed endemic. Nevertheless, several problems are