Understanding temperature variations in mountainous regions: The relationship between satellite-derived land surface temperature and in situ near-surface air temperature

Mountain systems significantly influence both regional and global climates, and are vital for biodiversity, water resources, and economic activities. Many mountainous regions are experiencing more rapid temperature changes than environments at lower elevations. Whilst in situ weather stations offer critical data on near-surface air temperature (T_air) patterns, the lack of high-elevation stations may lead to an underestimation of warming in mountainous regions. Land surface temperature (LST), which has a strong relationship with T_air and can potentially be measured globally by satellites irrespective of extreme terrain, presents an important alternative for comprehensively assessing temperature dynamics. In this study, we review studies on the relationship between satellite-derived LST and in situ T_air, particularly in mountainous regions, by conducting a meta-analysis of the research literature and discussing the factors driving the LST-T_air relationship. Our review reveals several research biases, including the regions that are the focus of studies to date (e.g. hemispheric and continent biases) and the elevation ranges that have in situ T_air data. We highlight the need for further research in mountain environments to better understand the impacts of climate change on these critical regions.