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

Malcolmia littorea (L.) R. Br. is a plant species of the Brassicaceae family (Fig. 1) which occurs exclusively in the sandy coastal habitats and is characterised by a disjoint distribution along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Algeria and Morocco. The continuous fragmentation and degradation of the coastal dune habitats are threatening the persistence of this species, reducing the abundance of its populations, especially the peripheral ones, with the risk of affecting their genetic variability and reproductive success. In several European regions, the species is considered as threatened with extinction, especially in Italy. Here, M. littorea is represented by three small (< 500 mature individuals) populations, all standing in the Latium Region, in particular in the littoral portion between Sabaudia and Terracina. Because of the large and continuous decline of both the number of individuals and suitable sites for its colonization in the Italian territory, in this country it is considered as critically endangered (Rossi et al., 2013). Starting from 2010, several studies have been performed to investigate specific biological and ecological attributes of this species, with the general aim of providing data and practical advices useful for the development of a conservation strategy. The present report introduces the study on the conservation of M. littorea as an example of multidisciplinary approach and collaboration among different institutes/structures.