NICHE HETEROGENEITY AND OLD-GROWTH FORESTS CONSERVATION VALUE

摘要: Vascular plants understorey of an old-growth beech forest was compared to a managed stand, similar for biogeographical, climatic and abiotic features. Parametric tests accumulation rarefaction curves were used compare the stands in terms vascular plant diversity at stand level among sampling units. The sampled species characterized functional traits Ellenberg’s indicator values; next, we calculated four different pairwise plot-to-plot dissimilarity matrices based on: 1. presence/absence, 2. cover values, 3. 4. indices. We applied permutational multivariate extension ANOVA test whether significantly differ considered Furthermore fourth corner analysis highlight which single trait is associated each stand. Although not richer plot resulted more diverse both among-plots than one. All comparisons performed through showed significant differences, with exception one on From ecological perspective noted: relative increase hemicryptophyte limited dispersal abilities (antdispersed or non specialized); decrease early-flowering geophytes; parallel increment small seeded, wind-dispersed adapted relatively open bright conditions (gaps). Our results suggest that high vertical horizontal structural heterogeneity canopy modulates floor increases environmental heterogeneity. This mechanism likely allow coexistence higher number species, requirements.