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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?