Conservation and Adaptation of Mediterranean Coastal Extremophiles: Land-Use Pressures and the Future of Crop Wild Relatives

The field of coastal Mediterranean conservation and restoration ecology is increasingly focusing on plant extremophiles species uniquely adapted to thrive under severe abiotic stresses such as high salinity, drought, temperature extremes, and poor soils. These plants, including many crop wild relatives and wild-harvested species, underpin local biodiversity and agricultural resilience but are often confined to specialized, vulnerable habitats. Current evidence highlights the essential role of these extremophiles in sustaining genetic diversity, inspiring climate-adaptive agriculture, and maintaining crucial ecosystem functions along Mediterranean coastlines. Yet, mounting anthropogenic pressures, habitat loss, land degradation, and accelerating climate change are outpacing conservation efforts, putting these plants at greater risk of extinction.Recent studies have shed light on the remarkable adaptations ranging from molecular to physiological that enable Mediterranean coastal extremophiles to persist in challenging conditions. Despite this growing body of research, significant gaps remain in understanding how land-use change, ongoing habitat fragmentation, and shifting climate conditions interact to impact extremophile populations. Furthermore, the potential of crop wild relatives for breeding climate-resilient crops and their broader ecosystem roles remains underexplored, especially in the context of participatory management and stakeholder-driven conservation strategies.This Research Topic aims to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with the conservation of extremophile plant species in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. Through multidisciplinary research, the Topic seeks to elucidate adaptive strategies enabling tolerance to abiotic stresses, assess drivers of habitat degradation, and inform effective conservation, restoration, and policy interventions. Submissions should explore contributions to climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and evidence-based participatory management involving local communities and stakeholders.Research contributions are welcomed within the boundaries of Mediterranean coastal regions and should focus on plant extremophiles particularly crop wild relatives and wild-harvested species addressing both ecological and socio-political dimensions. We encourage submissions that include, but are not limited to, the following themes:-Molecular, biochemical, anatomical, physiological, and morphological responses of extremophile plants-Anthropogenic and climate change impacts on -Mediterranean coastal flora-Ethnobotanical uses and resource management of halophytes and wild relatives-Assessment of ecosystem services and restoration strategies for degraded coastal habitats-Integration of scientific evidence into conservation policy and participatory management practices-Innovative governance, stakeholder engagement, and conservation solutions for halophytic species Topic editors: Ana Delaunay Caperta, Isabel Marques, Katarzyna Negacz, Nadia Bazihizina Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78568/conservation-and-adaptation-of-mediterranean-coastal-extremophiles-land-use-pressures-and-the-future-of-crop-wild-relatives