Objective Forest canopy surface temperature is an essential parameter reflecting the response of forest ecosystems to climate change. This study analyzes the variation characteristics and differences in canopy surface temperature among different forest types of natural and planted forests in China under comparable climatic conditions, and examines their spatial distribution patterns and temporal variation trends across different climatic zones, so as to clarify the variation characteristics of canopy surface temperature in China’s natural and planted forests.

Method Using the MODIS land surface temperature dataset and the ground meteorological data, we employ a random point sampling approach to investigate the canopy surface temperature variations between natural forests and planted forests of three different forest types under similar climatic conditions. Using intervals of 1 ℃ for temperature and 50 mm for precipitation, this study groups national 1km-resolution grids pixel by pixel based on annual average temperature and annual precipitation, to analyze the canopy surface temperature of forests under different climatic backgrounds.

Result (1) Overall, the multi-year average daytime and daily mean canopy surface temperatures of both plantations and natural forests exhibited no statistically significant interannual trends (P > 0.05). However, nighttime canopy surface temperatures showed significant increases, accompanied by a pronounced decline in diurnal canopy surface temperature range (P < 0.05). (2) Across climatic zones, daytime, daily mean canopy surface temperature, and diurnal temperature range of planted forests with different forest types were generally lower than those of natural forest. Within identical climatic zones, broadleaf forests displayed greater thermal divergence between natural forests and planted forests than coniferous counterparts, while mixed broadleaf and coniferous forests generally exhibited insignificant differences. (3) Daytime canopy surface temperature was decreasing during the studied period in relatively humid and warm regions, while an increasing trend was found regions with relatively drier climate. Nighttime canopy surface temperatures showed an increasing trend across all regions, with a more significant warming trend in cold areas. Such changes in daytime and nighttime canopy surface temperature have lead to an decreasing diurnal temperature range in most of the forest areas.

Conclusion These findings highlight the significant regional differentiation in canopy surface temperature variation between natural and planted forests in China, which provides important reference for enhancing the understanding of the feedback relationship between forests and climate, and provides a theoretical basis for scientific afforestation.