Abstract
As a key geographical element of the Earth's surface, terrain plays a fundamental and multidimensional role in regulating the structure and evolution of the climate system. In recent years, with the rapid advancement of technologies such as ground-based observation, remote sensing, and high-resolution numerical simulation, research on the mechanisms of terrain’s influence on climate has become increasingly refined and multiscale. This paper systematically reviews six current frontier research directions in this field: (1) the thermodynamic and dynamic regulatory mechanisms of complex terrain on local climate systems; (2) the multiscale coupling and feedback between terrain and atmospheric circulation; (3) the triggering and regulating mechanisms of terrain in the formation, intensification, and spatial distribution of extreme climate events; (4) the co-evolution patterns of the terrain–land surface processes–climate feedback system; (5) the multiscale impacts of urban terrain on the urban boundary layer and microclimate and corresponding modeling approaches; and (6) the integrated application and methodological innovation of remote sensing data and high-resolution climate simulation technologies in terrain–climate research. Studies show that complex terrain exerts significant spatial heterogeneity and nonlinear processes in regulating precipitation patterns, temperature variation, atmospheric boundary layer stability, and climate anomalies. Future research urgently needs to strengthen the integration of multi-source observational data and uncertainty assessments, promote cross-scale coupled modeling and mechanism validation of the terrain–climate system, and deepen the understanding of regional climate evolution driven by terrain, thereby providing theoretical support and technical basis for improving climate prediction, disaster prevention, and ecosystem management.
