Data characterizing the temperature dependence of the growth and CO 2 emission of two species of xylotrophic fungi ( D. confragosa and D. tricolor ) during their development on wort–agar and wood debris in a laboratory experiment are presented. Currently available estimates of the temperature dynamics of CO 2 emission by wood debris do not fully take into account the relationship between temperature, CO 2 emission, growth, and respiratory activity of fungi. In the range of 10–30°C, both linear growth and CO 2 emission activity of fungal mycelium are positively and linearly related to temperature (Spearman’s correlation coefficient, 0.94–0.97) to the same extent ( Q 10 of growth, 2.2; Q 10 of respiration, 2.1), and CO 2 emission is directly proportional to mycelium area and its specific emission activity. As a result, the temperature effect on CO 2 emission is a derivative of two equally temperature dependent factors: growth and specific emission activity of mycelium. It is equal to the product of the effects of each of the factors separately and is described by an exponential equation, which reflects the non-additive, possibly synergistic nature of the temperature enhancement of CO 2 emission in the range from 20 to 30°C.