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Article

Evaluation Model of Climatic Suitability for Olive Cultivation in Central Longnan, China

1
Longnan Meteorological Bureau, Longnan 746000, China
2
Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Carbon Source and Sink (ECSS-CMA), School of Atmosphere and Remote Sensing, Wuxi University, Wuxi 214105, China
3
Longnan Agricultural Techniques Station, Longnan 746005, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Atmosphere 2025, 16(8), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080948 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 23 May 2025 / Revised: 29 July 2025 / Accepted: 6 August 2025 / Published: 7 August 2025

Abstract

Longnan is the largest olive cultivation area in China. The unique microclimates in Longnan make it an ideal testing ground for climate-resilient cultivation strategies with broader applications across similar regions, yet predictive models linking weather to oil quality remain scarce. This study establishes a climate suitability evaluation model for olive cultivation in central Longnan based on meteorological data and olive quality data in the Fotanggou planting base. Four key climatic factors are identified: cumulative sunshine hours during the fruit coloring to ripening period, average temperature during the fruit coloring to harvesting period, number of cloudy and rainy days during the harvesting period, and relative humidity during the fruit setting to fruit enlargement period. Olive oil quality is graded into three levels (Excellent III, Good II, Fair I) based on acidity, linoleic acid, and peroxide value using K-means clustering. A climate suitability index is developed by integrating these factors, with weights determined via principal component analysis. The model is validated against an olive quality report from the Dabao planting base, showing an 80% match rate. From 1991 to 2023, 87.9% of years exhibit suitable or moderately suitable conditions, with 100% of years in the past decade (2014–2023) reaching “Good” or “Excellent” levels. This model provides a scientific basis for evaluating and predicting olive oil quality, supporting sustainable olive industry development in Longnan. This model provides policymakers and farmers with actionable insights to ensure the long-term sustainability of olive industry amid climate uncertainty.
Keywords: olive; Longnan; climate suitability; evaluation model olive; Longnan; climate suitability; evaluation model

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Liu, L.; Na, Y.; Ma, Y. Evaluation Model of Climatic Suitability for Olive Cultivation in Central Longnan, China. Atmosphere 2025, 16, 948. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080948

AMA Style

Liu L, Na Y, Ma Y. Evaluation Model of Climatic Suitability for Olive Cultivation in Central Longnan, China. Atmosphere. 2025; 16(8):948. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080948

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Li, Ying Na, and Yun Ma. 2025. "Evaluation Model of Climatic Suitability for Olive Cultivation in Central Longnan, China" Atmosphere 16, no. 8: 948. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080948

APA Style

Liu, L., Na, Y., & Ma, Y. (2025). Evaluation Model of Climatic Suitability for Olive Cultivation in Central Longnan, China. Atmosphere, 16(8), 948. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080948

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