Syntaxonomical analysis of beech woods in the Apennines (Italy) using the program package IAHOPA

IAHOPA, an overlay program package performing intersection analysis and information analysis has been applied to a large data set of relevés of beech woods in the Apennines (Italy) completed by several authors following the Braun Blanquet approach. The results have been treated by several numerical methods testing classification efficiency and predictivity. Ecological indicator values have been used to test for predictivity. The classification proposed by Gentile has been confirmed in its main lines. However 2 new associations (Polysticho-Fagetum and Digitali-Fagetum) and 12 new subassociations are described. Furthermore the Veronico-Fagetum Montacchini 1972 has been recognized also for the Apennines. The clusters corresponding to the association level could be classified in two main alliances: Geranio nodosi-Fagion and Geranio striati-Fagion as suggested by Gentile, however their syntaxonomical justification should be based on numerical comparisons of the data from the entire area of European beech woods.