Lemma 79.4.6. Let $S$ be a scheme. Let $F, G : (\mathit{Sch}/S)_{fppf}^{opp} \to \textit{Sets}$ be sheaves. Let $a : F \to G$ be representable by algebraic spaces, flat, locally of finite presentation, and surjective. Then $a : F \to G$ is surjective as a map of sheaves.

Proof. Let $T$ be a scheme over $S$ and let $g : T \to G$ be a $T$-valued point of $G$. By assumption $T' = F \times _ G T$ is an algebraic space and the morphism $T' \to T$ is a flat, locally of finite presentation, and surjective morphism of algebraic spaces. Let $U \to T'$ be a surjective étale morphism, where $U$ is a scheme. Then by the definition of flat morphisms of algebraic spaces the morphism of schemes $U \to T$ is flat. Similarly for “locally of finite presentation”. The morphism $U \to T$ is surjective also, see Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma 66.5.3. Hence we see that $\{ U \to T\}$ is an fppf covering such that $g|_ U \in G(U)$ comes from an element of $F(U)$, namely the map $U \to T' \to F$. This proves the map is surjective as a map of sheaves, see Sites, Definition 7.11.1. $\square$

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