Temperature Effects on Forest Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mechanisms, Ecosystem Responses, and Future Directions

Forest soil greenhouse gas emissions play a critical role in global climate change. This review synthesizes the mechanisms of temperature change impacts on forest soil greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions, the complex response patterns of ecosystems, and existing knowledge gaps in current research. We highlight several critical mechanisms, such as the high temperature sensitivity (Q10) of methane (CH4) and CO2 emissions from high-latitude peatlands, and the dual effect of chronic nitrogen deposition, which can cause short-term stimulation but long-term suppression of soil CO2 emissions. It emphasizes how climatic factors, soil characteristics, vegetation types, and anthropogenic disturbances (such as forest management and fire) regulate emission processes through multi-scale interactions. This review further summarizes the advancements and limitations of current research methodologies and points out future research directions. These include strengthening long-term multi-factor experiments, developing high-precision models that integrate microbial functional genomics and isotope tracing techniques, and exploring innovative emission reduction strategies. Ultimately, this synthesis aims to provide a scientific basis and key ecological threshold references for developing climate-resilient sustainable forest management practices and effective climate change mitigation policies.