Global variations in the relationship between tree canopy height and land surface temperature

Abstract This research investigates the global relationship between tree canopy height and LST, focusing on latitudinal variations to understand the role of forests in climate regulation. We employed the global canopy height map, resampling it to a 1-kilometer resolution to overcome computational limitations. This dataset was combined with MODIS daily LST data for 2020 at the same resolution. The mean values of both variables were calculated at 1-kilometer intervals along the latitudinal gradient, resulting in 16,260 data points for each variable, enabling spatial analysis across global, hemispheric, and tropical regions. Correlation analyses and nonlinear regression models were then applied to explore interactions between tree canopy height and LST. The findings offer valuable perspectives on ecological processes shaping tree distribution and their impact on surface temperature dynamics globally. A weak quadratic relationship was found globally, explaining 10.3% of LST variability (R 2 = 10.3%, P < 0.001), with LST initially rising with tree height before declining at greater canopy heights, as indicated by the negative squared term. The Northern Hemisphere exhibited the strongest relationship, explaining 33% of LST variance (R 2 = 33%, P < 0.001), while the Southern Hemisphere showed a moderate relationship (R 2 = 17.8%, P < 0.001). The tropical region (− 10° to 10° latitude) demonstrated the strongest overall relationship, explaining 65% of LST variability (R 2 = 65%, P < 0.001). Our findings highlight the importance of regional and latitudinal factors in shaping the relationship between tree height and surface temperature, offering valuable insights for climate regulation and forest management strategies globally.