The dynamic variations of the photorefractive properties of Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal via the crystal temperature were investigated.The results show that there is strong competition between the protons and the thermally excited electrons.Within the response time of the photorefractive gratings,the effect of protons on the photorefractive properties of Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal is weak,and the variation of thermal excitation coefficient of electron β will be the dominate factor that affects the photorefractive properties of Fe:LiNbO₃ if the crystal temperature is below 120℃.When the crystal temperature is higher than 120℃,the protons will have important effect on the photorefractive properties of Fe:LiNbO₃ crystal because of its increasing mobility.