The data from the Catalogue were imported into database spreadsheets and ana- lyzed using the Excel and ArcView programs. Elevational zones for Peru were derived from the GTOPO 30 Digital Elevation Model (U.S. Geological Survey 1996) using ArcView Spatial Analyst. The elevation grid was clipped for Peru and reclassified into 10 zones of 500m increments and one zone for all elevations >5000 m. The Peru Catalogue lists endemics occurring up to 5000 m; the total area above this elevation accounts for only 0.06% of the total area of Peru. The area in square kilometers was then calculated for each elevational zone (Zhou 2001). A Department data layer was added (ESRI 1999) and area was calculated in square kilometers for each Department. Area data were used throughout the study to analyze the density of endemics along elevational zones and between life forms. Area calculations for protected areas were based on the Mapa de Areas Naturales Protegidas Del Peru, which can be seen on the INRENA web site (http://www. inrena.gob.pe/dganp.html). Using ArcView Spatial Analyst, we digitized the map onto our DEM layer of Peru and calculated the area of each elevational zone within the parks, as well as the total area for all parks; our figure (17,178,174 ha) differed by only 0.6% from the total for the protected areas given by INRENA (17,360,009 ha less 64,115 ha for the Cordillera de Colan, which is not on the map). We thus accepted that our calculations were largely correct. Table 5 presents the elevational distribution of the protected areas.