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Employing a 'rarity-weighted richness index,' this map highlights regions in the lower 48 states and Hawai'i with large numbers of limited-range species. The highest peaks represent hotspots of rarity and richness [of] limited-range species. The logic behind this method is that a hexagon assumes increased conservation significance if a number of species occur only in that cell, since protection of these unique species cannot be accomplished elsewhere. (Precious Heritage, pp. 172-173. Stein, et al. ed, Oxford University Press, New York, 2000)