Area of distribution is defined (by CITES) as the area contained within the shortest continuous imaginary boundary which can be drawn to encompass all the known, inferred or projected sites of occurrence, excluding cases of vagrancy (though inferring and projecting area of occurrence should be undertaken carefully, and in a precautionary manner) . The area should, however, exclude significant areas where the species does not occur, and account should be taken of discontinuities or disjunctions in the spatial distribution of species. For migratory species, the area of distribution is the smallest area essential at any stage for the survival of that species (e.g. colonial nesting sites, feeding sites for migratory taxa, etc.).
