The impact of altered litter inputs on soil physicochemical properties in forest ecosystems is an important factor in understanding and protecting the stability of forest ecosystems. To investigate the response of soil physicochemical properties to altered litter inputs in forest ecosystems, 712 sets of valid data were selected from published research papers at home and abroad and analysed by Meta-analysis to reveal the extent of the effect of litter inputs on soil physicochemical properties in terms of altered litter inputs, climate, altitude, stand type and treatment years. The results of the study showed that the addition of litter reduced soil pH by 2.22%; increased soil water content, organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen by 3.99%, 15.9%, 9.82% and 16.52% respectively; and reduced soil water content, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N and ammonium nitrogen by 8.16%, 4.02%, 6.47%, 5.09%, 10.55% and 8.86% respectively as a result of litter removal, 10.55% and 8.86%. The effect of altered litter inputs on soil physicochemical properties was also modulated by climate, altitude, stand type and treatment age. Climate, altitude, stand type and treatment age all contributed significantly to soil water content, organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen, while altitude contributed significantly to soil pH, while stand type inhibited soil pH under altered litter input conditions. It was also concluded that mean annual temperature was the main regulator of soil pH, mean annual precipitation was the main regulator of soil water content, and elevation was the main regulator of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen under altered litter input conditions. Soil water content, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen all changed significantly after the change in litter input, and the extent to which the change in litter input affected soil physicochemical properties was not only regulated by the change in litter input, but also influenced by climate, altitude, stand type and the number of years of treatment. The results of the study have theoretical implications for an in-depth understanding of the drivers of differential response of soil physicochemical properties to litter inputs.