Should states in the USA value species at the edge of their geographic range

摘要: Given limited resources and current mechanisms for conservation of rare imperiled species, a common practice is to prioritize species that are in need attention. Agencies individuals responsible the within given boundaries may deprioritize those if species' range extensive (e.g., such as when populations occur at edges geographic range). We overlapped amphibian reptile ranges with state United States show many any could be considered peripheral therefore vulnerable inaction based on fact alone. argue overall should not used primary reason deprioritizing boundary, illustrate even have value integral parts ecological communities wherever they occur. urge decision makers biologists consider these arguments during ranking processes, reflexively their ranges. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.