Using woody flora to define phytogeographic units. Analysis of a west–east transect in central Italy
To improve the phytogeographic characterization of peninsular Italy, we analysed and compared the spatial distribution of woody flora at both the species and genus level along an approximate 160 km west–east transect within the central peninsula. Sampling sites were selected using a subjective stratified sampling design. A total of 1710 occurrence records, 138 species, and 74 genera from 153 floristic relevés was used. The congruence in species and genera patterns, supported by Mantel and Procrustes tests, confirmed the validity of the higher‐taxon approach to analyse woody flora patterns.