The project BIOSFER³A aims at exploring the relationship between biodiversity and functionality in natural ecosystems, with a particular focus on the role of forest ecosystems in the carbon and nitrogen cycles and greenhouse gas balance in the atmosphere. It also explores the role of climate change and fire in shaping the response of forest C and N cycles to fire disturbance. Here we present the results of the GHG fluxes (CO2, N2O and CH4) and related C and N mineralization and nitrification fluxes measured on soil sampled in November 2024 from the BIOSFER3A study sites, coniferous and broadleaved forest stands that have undergone strong wildfire in 2023 and in coniferous stands also in 2017, in Morrone mountain (Abruzzo, IRET site). Data show that coniferous forests has much lower N2O and CO2 fluxes and N losses compared with the broadleaved forest and comparable CH₄ sink. Fire impacts more significantly the coniferous site significantly increasing N losses and GHG emissions, although post-fire soil N and C losses in broadleaved sites remain higher than in coniferous sites. Data show that protection of forests from fire significantly contributes to limit GHG emissions during and in the post-fire period and limit forest soil degradation in mountain areas.

Project “BIOdiversita' Specifica e Funzionale per la Resistenza, Resilienza e Recupero ai disturbi ed al cambiamento climatico [BIOSFeR³a]”, funded by  Italian Ministry of University and Research, “National Biodiversity Future Center - NBFC PROJECT”,  CUPB83C22002930006