Download Europe`s endemics under pressure

Bruchmann, I. (2011) Europe's endemics under pressure? Graduate research symposium in applied
population biology; Centre of Population Biology - Imperial College London, Groß Britannien.
Abstract:
Species with a restricted distribution range are said to be more vulnerable to extinction than
widespread species. However, an endemic species is not necessarily also rare or stenochoric. Some
endemics, e.g. the pan-European endemic species Cymbalaria muralis (Scrophulariaceae), show
very wide distribution ranges and seem to have good dispersal abilities, while others - not only the
palaeo-endemics - have extremely narrow distribution ranges, e.g. the riparian plant Oenanthe
conioides which is unique to the Hamburg area. Other endemics have wide spatial ranges but exist
in small populations confined to isolated habitat patches (e.g. endemics of bogs, mires, fens). Some
species, however, remain rare in their natural habitats although they could potentially occupy a
wider range (e.g. Lotus berthelotii which is successfully grown as a house plant but rarely disperses
in nature).
Since the term endemism was first defined, many hypotheses have been published explaining the
restricted range patterns of endemics but to date there is no comprehensive explanation of the
phenomenon. It is not known exactly how endemic plants will react to climate change. Will they
adapt or migrate, thus ensuring their survival, or will they become extinct? Is it possible to predict
their reaction and how can this best be assessed?