Summary -Biomass, productivity and organic matter fluxes in Castanea sativa Mill stands of various elevation in the Etna volcano. All the compartments and fluxes of organic matter distribution and turnover within four Castanea sativa Mill coppice stands of various ages and at various elevations were studied on the flanks of the Etna volcano (Sicily). Aboveground biomass was to 22 and 24 Mg ha -1 in 7-year-old stands and 83 and 100 Mg ha -1 in 12-and 22-year-old coppices, with good correlations between biomass and climatic conditions or stand age. Wood accounted for 95% of the biomass and leaves for 5%. Aboveground perennial biomass production amounted to 2.4 to 5.4 Mg ha -1 year -1 , and thus was also correlated with the age and the altitudinal location of the stands. Litterfall, measured during 3 successive years, varied between 1.7 and 5.1 Mg ha -1 year -1 and was directely related to the stand age. The litter accumulation on the soil surface was 7.4 to 7.9 Mg ha -1 , with only small differences between the four sites. Decomposition required more then 6 years. The comparison of the four coppices showed that all the processes concerning productivity, as well as decomposition, were related to climatic conditions and to the age of the coppice stands.