Population genetics and reproductive biology investigations for conservation of Malcolmia littorea : introduction to a multidisciplinary approach

Sandy coastal habitats are among the most vulnerable in the world because of their physicaldynamism, and because they are strongly affected by human activities such as construction of harbours, private and tourism infrastructures, mechanical cleaning of beaches, trampling, pollution and invasion by alien plants (Carboni et al., 2009; Defeo et al., 2009). All these factors of disturbance cause and facilitate habitat fragmentation and degradation processes (Carranzaet al., 2010), and as a result, most coastlines are experiencing accelerated rates of erosion(Defeo et al., 2009). The destruction of these habitats is strictly linked with the loss of numerous species which are highly specialized for life in these dynamic systems and are found in no other