Spatial patterns of textural elements in a regenerative phase of a beech coppice (Torricchio Mountain Nature Reserve, Apennines, Italy).

This work explores and compares horizontal models of some textural categories (species, life forms, guilds) in the herb layer of an aged beech coppice in Torricchio Nature Reserve, central Apennines (Italy). Vegetation was analysed using multi-species models of information theory (JNP models), considering the relationships of diversity (florula diversity) and spatial dependence (associatum) in the above-mentioned categories. Frequency data on circular transects were analysed along a series of scales. Detected patterns were tested against neutral models by Monte-Carlo simulations. Most of the species show a high degree of aggregation and entropy often maximize over 10 m. The guilds have a much weaker structure (lower degree of aggregation and greatly reduced spatial dependence). The life forms have the most spatially aggregated groups, and intermediate spatial dependence and units complexity. These aspects show that the spatial distribution of the understory is guided by anthropic management that has modified the community structure, creating static centres of shoot development, and sharp environmental heterogeneity. In particular, the response to environmental variability is finer at the species level and less marked observing guilds.