Spatial heterogeneity in: Dictionary of Ecological Economics

Ecology: a. The variability present in a specific area, depending on the scale, in terms of topology, soil type, climate, resources, and so on. b. The distribution of plants and animal species. Can be measured by the biodiversity or by the distribution of the population of a given species. Economics: a. The concentration and diversification of economic activities and prices, ecosystem services, non-market values, human happiness and life satisfaction, and so on. Can be measured by the type and amount of sectoral production, income distribution, degree of urbanization, and so on, in a specific period. This variation needs to be adjusted for when an analysis uses the benefit transfer method. b. Spatial heterogeneity determines economic specialization and trade, which translates into fluxes of money, and throughputs of materials and energy.