Abstract: The geographic distribution patterns of three endangered Vitis species (V. yunnanensis C. L. Li, V. hui Cheng and V. wenchouensis C. Ling ex W. T. Wang) in China were investigated through analyses of their comprehensive geographic distribution information. The current distribution patterns of the three Vitis species were mapped by ArcGIS software. Their potential future distribution patterns under the impacts of present climate and potential future climate change were simulated and predicted using BIOCLIM model. The results showed that the three wild Vitis species are distributed mainly in south of the Yangtze River. V. hui is mainly distributed in northern Jiangxi Province, and V. wenchouensis in southeastern Zhejiang Province, while V. yunnanensis is distributed in a scattered pattern. The dominant factors affecting the geographic distribution of V. yunnanensis are mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean annual temperature range, and annual precipitation. Annual mean temperature, precipitation seasonality, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and mean monthly temperature range are that for V. hui; and minimum temperature of the coldest month, annual precipitation, and precipitation of the driest month are that for V. wenchouensis. Simulated present distributions of these three Vitis species by BIOCLIM model match very well their actual distribution ranges, indicating that the simulation by BIOCLIM model is accurate. The current and potential future distributions of these species are and will still remain in south China. Under the future climate scenario with a doubled CO₂ concentration, these three Vitis species may all shift northward; but the ranges of the suitable zone change are not obvious.

Key words: endozoochorous dispersal, rumen digestion, ramineae seed, germination rate, morphology