My own interest is directed towards subspecific distribution of mammals. The patterns we see now are simply transitory. Distributions seen in 1998 are different to those of a century ago, a millenium ago or further back. Indeed, in many cases they may be different to a decade ago.
Legislation is one of the few tools available to large scale conservation but it requires specifics.
It needs names and defined ranges. To me pattern implies process. At this point in time it is pretty much irrelevant what that is. The thing to do is to take action to protect the whole system. This way by identifying and protecting the pattern you effectively protect the process too.