Atlas of the coastal habitats of the Lazio Region

The Atlas describing the variety and variability of coastal dunal habitats in the Lazio Region has a dual function: a) on the one hand can be of assistance to technicians and professionals involved in planning, management and conservation of coastal environments; on the other hand, the dissemination of knowledge and data can help the general public to better understand the high ecological and landscape value of dunal ecosystems, which is necessary for conservation efforts to be truly effective. In fact, along most of the Italian coasts, the changes that have occurred in the territory have led to the alteration, rarefaction or disappearance of entire plant communities and, consequently, the local extinction of the typical species. These plant species, called psammophiles, are highly specialised and closely linked to the coastal environment; they are therefore particularly exposed to the danger of extinction. In this context, in-depth knowledge and monitoring of coastal flora and habitats become priority actions for the conservation of biodiversity.