Litter decomposition is an important part of nutrient cycle in forest ecosystems. The objective of this study is to explore the effect of air temperature change on the decomposition of dead leaves of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata). In the study, the leaf litter and canopy litter of Chinese fir were selected as the research objects, and four altitudes temperature gradients (i.e. 620 m, 1003 m, 1410 m, and 1948 m) were selected as test sites for carrying out the displacement test based on the climatic zone characteristics distributed vertically along the elevation of Wuyi Mountain. Field decomposition net bags were used to study the litter decomposition rate (K), dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) release during the decomposition of leaf litter and canopy litter of Chinese fir under different temperature conditions. The results showed that the dry weight remaining of leaf litter and canopy litter showed a decreasing trend with the extension of decomposition time, and there was a significant difference between the dry weight remaining of leaf litter and canopy litter under different temperature conditions (P < 0.05). The sequence of decomposition rate of leaf litter at different altitudes was K_{620 m} > K_{1003 m} > K_{1410 m} > K_{1948 m}, and the order of canopy litter was K_{1003 m} > K_{620 m} > K_{1410 m} > K_{1948 m}.The decomposition time of leaf litter and canopy litter needed for 50% and 95% mass loss were shortened by warming. Warming significantly affected the N, P, Mg and Ca remaining in leaf litter and canopy litter (P < 0.05), and the nutrient remaining of both leaves were lower at T_{620 m}. However, during the decomposition period of 300-360 days, the canopy litter had a higher P remaining at T_{620 m}. Warming did not change the release patterns of P, Mg, and Ca, but changed the release patterns of N in canopy litter. The dry weight remaining of leaf litter and canopy litter were positively correlated with N remaining (P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with P remaining (P < 0.05). The correlations between Mg, Ca remaining and dry weight remaining were weaker than that between N, P remaining and dry weight remaining. Warming significantly accelerated the mass loss rate and nutrient release of leaf litter and canopy litter, and thus promoted the material cycle of the Chinese fir artificial forest ecosystem. These results provide a scientific basis for a comprehensive understanding of the response mechanism of nutrient release to climate warming during the decomposition of Chinese fir dead leaves.