During the last 30-40 years biodiversity has been drastically reduced mostly as a consequence of human activities. Therefore, a great portion of the genetic variability that is economically and ecologically important has probably been lost. Although the exact number is unknown, it's common knowledge that many species have already gone extinct, while many others are present in such a small population size that their long term survival is uncertain and thus can be considered endangered.

Studies on the genetic structure and its interaction with the ecological features of a target taxon is one of the main goals for the establishment of sound conservationists strategies. Results obtained from this kind of study may be helpful to assure the long term viability of populations and communities even in areas protected by law.

Besides being important for the long term survival of endangered species, informations about genetic structure and variation are also essential for ecological restorations, for the determining the size of conservation units and for the preservation of genetic resources for future applications, avoiding the loss of potentially important alleles. Since it is not possible to know in advance which genetic combination is the most adapted to the always changing different habitats, it is wiser to maintain the maximum of variability so that the species are able to continue their evolutionary way.