Coppice rotation on beech forests: some effect on plant species diversity

Beech forest coppice with-standards systems in the Marches Region (Central Italy) are characterized by small units (<1ha), recently (≈1930) deployed to coppicing, with an increasing abandonment since the 60’s, and its lately revival for biofuel. Evidences show that a mosaic of exploited - non exploited patches could maintain a good forest species pool (Garadnai et al. 2010). Structural and plant species surveys were performed on 80 plots (20x20 m) by a stratified design (age since last coppicing, substrate and elevation); 57 plots were re-sampled in 2011, and structured interviews to cutters conducted. We set age groups: post logged (1-16 yrs), recovering (17-31 yrs), old (32-95 yrs), and classified species in Social Behaviour Types: SBT1 beech specialist, SBT2 forest generalist, and SBT3 open habitat (Bartha et al. 2008; Canullo et al. 2011). Results. SBT1 increase along the temporal gradient, SBT2 is almost constant, SBT3 strongly reduced. Community changes occurred between 2006- 2011: differences in the understory species composition are driven by tree canopy cover and, secondarily, slope and aspect. Cutters’ decisions are not based on the canopy cover: productivity thresholds are derived from age, height, diameter (indirectly indicating canopy closure). Disturbance affects a stand after it has consolidated its sub-optimal forest habitat conditions for SBT1 species: tree canopy cover stabilizes approximately 10 years before users usually decide cutting (24-28 yrs). Stands of age between 16 and 24-28 yrs probably develop crucial habitats for the survival and reproduction of forest generalist and beech specialist species, even during periods or within patches of active coppicing.