Fire regime effects on soil habitat and carbon balance in Mediterranean landscapes

Abstract

Wildfire severity and frequency in European Mediterranean regions are projected to intensify under climate change, exacerbating soil degradation and disrupting carbon sequestration. Moreover, these events pose serious risks to human life, infrastructure, and local economies. Although prescribed burns are advocated to mitigate wildfire risk, EU fire policies remain reactive, prioritizing short-term social stability over long-term forest resilience—a critical gap given conflicting evidence on fire impacts. While some studies suggest wildfires reduce carbon stocks, others argue they create more stable carbon forms. Additionally, some researchers suggest impacts on soil carbon dynamics are highly dependent on fire regime (severity and frequency).