Information sheet Coastal habitats, Vegetal Heritage category of the Environment and Nature thematic area. The Atlas which describes the variety and variability of coastal dune habitats present in the Lazio Region has a dual function: a) on the one hand it can be of help and professionals involved in the planning, management and conservation of coastal environments; b) 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 dune ecosystems, a necessary condition for conservation efforts to be truly effective. In fact, along most of the Italian coasts the modifications that have occurred in the territory have led to the alteration, rarefaction or disappearance of entire plant communities and, consequently, to the local extinction of the typical species. These plant species, called psammophilous, are highly specialized and closely linked to the coastal environment; are therefore particularly exposed to the danger of extinction. In this context, the in-depth knowledge and monitoring of coastal flora and habitats become priority actions for the conservation of biodiversity.
