Search Results (45)

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems (traditional types such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows; emerging types such as tidal flats and mariculture) play pivotal roles in capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Reliable assessment of the spatial and temporal variation and the carbon storage potential holds immense promise for mitigating climate change. Although previous field surveys and regional assessments have improved the understanding of individual habitats, most studies remain site-specific and short-term; comprehensive, multi-decadal assessments that integrate all major coastal blue carbon systems at the national scale are still scarce for China. In this study, we integrated 30 m Landsat imagery (1992–2022), processed on Google Earth Engine with a random forest classifier; province-specific, literature-derived carbon density data with quantified uncertainty (mean ± standard deviation); and the InVEST model to track coastal China’s mangroves, salt marshes, tidal flats, and mariculture to quantify their associated carbon stocks. Then the GeoDetector was applied to distinguish the natural and anthropogenic drivers of carbon stock change. Results showed rapid and divergent land use change over the past three decades, with mariculture expanded by 44%, becoming the dominant blue carbon land use; whereas tidal flats declined by 39%, mangroves and salt marshes exhibited fluctuating upward trends. National blue carbon stock rose markedly from 74 Mt C in 1992 to 194 Mt C in 2022, with Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian holding the largest provincial stock; Jiangsu and Guangdong showed higher increasing trends. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was the primary driver of spatial variability in carbon stock change (q = 0.63), followed by precipitation and temperature. Synergistic interactions were also detected, e.g., NDVI and precipitation, enhancing the effects beyond those of single factors, which indicates that a wetter climate may boost NDVI’s carbon sequestration. These findings highlight the urgency of strengthening ecological red lines, scaling climate-smart restoration of mangroves and salt marshes, and promoting low-impact mariculture. Our workflow and driver diagnostics provide a transferable template for blue carbon monitoring and evidence-based coastal management frameworks. Full article

After reviewing the state of the art of the fluorination of inorganic solid electrolytes, an application of gas/solid fluorination is given and how it can be processed. Garnet-type oxide has been chosen. These oxides with an ideal structure of chemical formula A₃B₂(XO₄)₃ are mainly known for their magnetic and dielectric properties. Certain garnets may have a high enough Li⁺ ionic conductivity to be used as solid electrolyte of lithium ion battery. The surface of LLZO may be changed in contact with the moisture and CO₂ present in the atmosphere that results in a change of the conductivity at the interface of the solid. LiOH and/or lithium carbonate are formed at the surface of the garnet particles. In order to allow for handling and storage under normal conditions of this solid electrolyte, surface fluorination was performed using elemental fluorine. When controlled using mild conditions (temperature lower or equal to 200 °C, either in static or dynamic mode), the addition of fluorine atoms to LLZO with Li_6,4Al_0,2La₃Zr₂O₁₂ composition is limited to the surface, forming a covering layer of lithium fluoride LiF. The effect of the fluorination was evidenced by IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopies. If present in the pristine LLZO powder, then the carbonate groups disappear. More interestingly, contrary to the pristine LLZO, the contents of these groups are drastically reduced even after storage in air up to 45 days when the powder is covered with the LiF layer. Surface fluorination could be applied to other solid electrolytes that are air sensitive. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) efflux from soil (or soil respiration, SR) is one of the most important yet variable characteristics of soil. When evaluating large areas, CO₂ efflux modeling serves as a viable alternative to direct measurements. This research aims to identify site-specific differences and their effects on empirical CO₂ efflux modeling. The experimental data from 25 years of field observations were utilized to identify the optimal site- and weather-specific models, parameterized for normal, wet, and dry years, for the forest and grassland ecosystems located on similar Entic Podzols (Arenic) in the same bioclimatic coniferous–deciduous forest zone. The following parameters were considered in the examined models: mean monthly soil or air temperatures (Tsoil and Tair), amount of precipitation during the current (P) and the previous (PP) months, and the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the top 20 cm of soil. The weighted non-linear regression method was employed to estimate the model parameters for the normal, wet, and dry years. To increase the magnitude of the model resolutions, we controlled the slope and intercept of the linear model comparison between the measured and modeled data through the change in R₀—CO₂ efflux at Tsoil = 0 °C. The mean bias error (MBE), root-mean-square error (RMSE), and determination coefficient (R²) were employed to assess the quality of the model’s performance. The measured Tsoil, Tair, and P, as well as the litter (for forest) or sod (for grassland) horizon (modeled by the Soil SCLmate Statistical Simulator (SCLISS)), and soil temperatures (Tlit_m, Tsoil_m) and moistures (Mlit_m, Msoil_m), were used for SR simulation. For the CO₂ efflux in the forest ecosystem with the lower SOC availability for mineralization, the direct Tsoil and Tair measurements in combination with SOC storage provided better parameterization for the empirical TPPC model. For the CO₂ efflux in the grassland ecosystem with the high SOC availability for mineralization, the temperature became the governing factor, and the TPPrh model provided better performance over all the considered models. The model’s performance was the best for the wet years, and the worst for the dry years for both ecosystems. For forest ecosystems, the model performance for average precipitation years was equivalent to that in wet years. For grassland ecosystems, however, the model performance was equivalent to that in dry years due to differing exposure and hydrothermal regimes. The wet-year R₀ obtained for both forest and grassland ecosystems differed from the normal- and dry-year values. The measured SR values relevant for the R₀ estimations distribute along the precipitation range for the forest and along the temperature range for the grassland. The SCLISS-modeled Tlit_m and Mlit_m provide good alternatives to direct atmospheric measurements, and can be used as initial temperature and moisture data for CO₂ efflux modeling when direct soil and moisture observations are not available on site. Full article

This article focuses on analysing the properties of six varieties of haskap berry (honeyberry) as a valuable raw material for producing health-promoting juices. Significant differences in the content of bioactive compounds were observed between juices derived from fruits of the same species. This study demonstrated that controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (20% CO₂ and 5% O₂) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in Xtend bags affected juice quality by minimising nutritional losses. The analysis of polyphenol content in the juices revealed significant differences between varieties and years (2021 and 2022), primarily due to varying weather conditions. In 2022, the polyphenol content of the varieties ‘Usłada’, ‘Candy Blue’, ‘Boreal Beauty’, and ‘Boreal Beast’ was from 69% to twice as high compared to values recorded in 2021. CA and MAP storage conditions were found to be more effective than normal atmosphere (NA) in preserving bioactive components, and thus the antioxidant activity of the fruits, as measured by the DPPH method. The variety ‘Sinij Utes’ had the highest total polyphenol contents and their lowest loss during storage. Conversely, the variety ‘Boreal Beauty’ contained the lowest polyphenol levels both after harvest and storage. This study confirmed the importance of proper storage conditions for maintaining the antioxidant properties of haskap berries. Full article

Estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) is vital for sustainable forest management and helps to understand the contributions of forests to carbon storage and emission goals. In this study, the effectiveness of plot-level AGB estimation using height and crown diameter derived from UAV-LiDAR, calibration of GEDI-L4A AGB and GEDI-L2A rh98 heights, and spectral variables derived from UAV-multispectral and RGB data were assessed. These calibrated AGB and height values and UAV-derived spectral variables were used to fit AGB estimations using a random forest (RF) regression model in Fuling District, China. Using Pearson correlation analysis, we identified 10 of the most important predictor variables in the AGB prediction model, including calibrated GEDI AGB and height, Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index green (VARIg), Red Blue Ratio Index (RBRI), Difference Vegetation Index (DVI), canopy cover (CC), Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI), Red-Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVIre), Color Index of Vegetation (CIVI), elevation, and slope. The results showed that, in general, the second model based on calibrated AGB and height, Sentinel-2 indices, slope and elevation, and spectral variables from UAV-multispectral and RGB datasets with evaluation metric (for training: R² = 0.941 Mg/ha, RMSE = 13.514 Mg/ha, MAE = 8.136 Mg/ha) performed better than the first model with AGB prediction. The result was between 23.45 Mg/ha and 301.81 Mg/ha, and the standard error was between 0.14 Mg/ha and 10.18 Mg/ha. This hybrid approach significantly improves AGB prediction accuracy and addresses uncertainties in AGB prediction modeling. The findings provide a robust framework for enhancing forest carbon stock assessment and contribute to global-scale AGB monitoring, advancing methodologies for sustainable forest management and ecological research. Full article

Loblolly pine plantations have long been cultivated primarily for timber production due to their rapid growth and economic value. However, these forests are now increasingly acknowledged for their important role in mitigating climate change. Their dense canopies and fast growth rates enable them to absorb and store substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. By integrating sustainable management practices, these plantations can maximize both timber yield and carbon sequestration, contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Balancing timber production with vital ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, demands carefully tailored management strategies. This study examined how the timing of thinning—specifically early thinning at 17 years and late thinning at 32 years—impacts biomass accumulation, carbon storage capacity, and carbon sequestration rates in loblolly pine plantations located in northern Iran. Two thinning intensities were evaluated: normal thinning (removal of 15% basal area) and heavy thinning (removal of 35% basal area). The results demonstrated that thinning significantly improved biomass, sequestration rates and carbon storage compared to unthinned stands. Early thinning proved more effective than late thinning in enhancing these metrics. Additionally, heavy thinning had a greater impact than normal thinning on increasing biomass, carbon storage, and sequestration rates. In early heavy-thinned stands, carbon storage reached 95.8 Mg C/ha, which was 63.0% higher than the 58.8 Mg C/ha observed in unthinned 32-year-old stands. In comparison, early normal thinning increased carbon storage by 41.3%. In late heavy-thinned stands, carbon storage reached 199.4 Mg C/ha, which was 29.0% higher than in unthinned stands of the same age (154.6 Mg C/ha at 52 years). In contrast, late normal thinning increased carbon storage by 13.3%. Similarly, carbon sequestration rates in unthinned stands were 1.84 Mg C/ha/yr at 32 years and 2.97 Mg C/ha/yr at 52 years. In comparison, 32-year-old stands subjected to normal and heavy thinning had sequestration rates of 2.60 and 2.99 Mg C/ha/yr, respectively, while 54-year-old normally and heavily thinned stands reached 3.37 and 3.83 Mg C/ha/yr, respectively. The highest carbon storage was concentrated in the stems for 52–58% of the total. Greater thinning intensity increased the proportion of carbon stored in stems while decreasing the contribution from foliage. These results indicate that heavy early thinning is the most effective strategy for maximizing both timber production and carbon sequestration in loblolly pine plantations. Full article

Sour cherry is a non-climacteric fruit that quickly loses its quality after harvest, so effective storage and packaging are essential to minimize postharvest decay. Our study aimed to (i) evaluate fruit decay incidence during shelf-life for both freshly harvested and six-week-cold-stored sour cherry fruits, comparing normal atmospheric conditions with modified atmosphere packaging across three sour cherry cultivars (‘Érdi bőtermő’, ‘Újfehértói fürtös’, and ‘Petri’); and (ii) assess postharvest fruit decay incidence across the following three production systems: conventional, integrated pest management (IPM), and reduced IPM, for the cultivar ‘Érdi bőtermő’. The results showed that modified atmosphere packaging effectively preserved or slightly increased fruit firmness (ranging from 27.1 to 46%) compared to control fruits across all cultivars. Fruit weight loss (ranging from 1.18 to 26.1%) was also significantly reduced under modified atmosphere packaging compared to normal atmospheric storage. Over a 14-day period, the decay incidence of harvested fruits consistently increased, with major losses from day 6 onward (ranging from 17.7 to 77.0% at shelf-life day 14) across all cultivars and years. After six weeks of normal atmospheric cold storage, decay incidence remained low (ranging from 0 to 9.4%) and was comparable across all cultivars. Both normal atmospheric and modified atmosphere packaging storage maintained sour cherry quality during cold storage, but the shelf-life of the fruits was significantly shorter at room temperature, regardless of the storage methods. Fruit decay incidence at harvest was highest in the reduced IPM system (ranging from 3.2 to 6.4%), significantly exceeding those observed in the conventional and IPM systems. In post-MAP cold storage, decay incidence followed the following order: conventional < IPM < reduced IPM, with significant differences observed only between the conventional and reduced IPM systems. In conclusion, our results suggest that sour cherries produced under conventional or IPM systems and stored in modified atmosphere packaging offer an effective postharvest strategy for preserving fruit quality. Full article

Seed quality declines during storage depending on relative humidity, temperature, and oxygen concentration. Low-oxygen atmospheres significantly enhanced the germination and vigor of seeds during storage in laboratory-scale experiments. Low-oxygen atmospheres include self-modified atmospheres, where gas composition changes due to microbial respiration and oxidative processes, as well as modified atmospheres, where gas composition is initially altered from an external source without further adjustments. However, the potential of low-oxygen atmospheres to preserve the quality of maize (Zea mays) seeds in bags of 25–50 kg capacity, like those employed by seed companies and small-scale farmers, remains underexplored, hindering a broader adoption of this storage technology. Our study assessed the feasibility of applying low-oxygen atmospheres for seed storage on the pilot scale, i.e., hermetic containers of 25 kg capacity made of polyethylene and polyamide, under controlled conditions. We first evaluated the ability of the hermetic containers to maintain low oxygen levels over time. Then, we compared the germination and vigor of seeds stored in the hermetic containers under modified and self-modified atmospheres with those stored in traditional poly-paper bags under normal atmospheric conditions. The seeds had 14% moisture content (wet basis) and were stored at 25 °C and 10 °C. Maintaining low oxygen levels in polyethylene–polyamide bags was feasible. Moreover, at 25 °C, modified and self-modified atmospheres maintained higher germination values (95.8% and 94.4%, respectively) compared to traditional storage (68.3%), and both were as effective as refrigeration (97.6%). However, refrigeration was better for preserving seed vigor, with radicle emergence values of 85.2% in self-modified atmospheres and 78.9% in modified atmospheres, compared to 65.0% and 61.2%, respectively, at 25 °C. In conclusion, the advantages of modified atmospheres observed in laboratory-scale studies are achievable on a larger scale with a proper container design, advancing the prospects for the practical application of this technology for the seed industry and small farmers. Full article

The effects of normal (NA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and postharvest treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) before CA storage for 5 months on the volatilome, biochemical composition and quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ (GD) and ‘Red Delicious’ (RD) apples were studied. Apples stored under NA and CA maintained and 1-MCP treatment increased firmness in both cultivars. NA storage resulted in a decrease of glucose, sucrose and fructose levels in both cultivars. When compared to CA storage, 1-MCP treatment caused a more significant decrease in sucrose levels and an increase in glucose levels. Additionally, 1-MCP-treated apples exhibited a significant decrease in malic acid content for both cultivars. All storage conditions led to significant changes in the abundance and composition of the volatilome in both cultivars. GD and RD apples responded differently to 1-MCP treatment compared to CA storage; higher abundance of hexanoate esters and (E,E)-α-farnesene was observed in RD apples treated with 1-MCP. While 1-MCP was effective in reducing (E,E)-α-farnesene abundance in GD apples, its impact on RD apples was more limited. However, for both cultivars, all storage conditions resulted in lower levels of 2-methylbutyl acetate, butyl acetate and hexyl acetate. The effectiveness of 1-MCP is cultivar dependent, with GD showing better results than RD. Full article

Different storage conditions can influence microbial community structure and metabolic functions, affecting rice grains’ quality. However, the microbiological mechanisms by which different storage conditions affect the quality of rice grains are not yet well understood. This study monitored the quality (the content of starch, protein, etc.) and microbial community structure of rice grains stored under different storage conditions with nitrogen gas atmosphere (RA: normal temperature, horizontal ventilation, RB: normal temperature, vertical ventilation, RC: quasi-low temperature, horizontal ventilation). The results revealed that the rice grains stored under condition RB exhibited significantly lower quality compared to condition RA and RC. In addition, under this condition, the highest relative abundance of Aspergillus (16.0%) and Penicillium (0.4%) and the highest levels of aflatoxin A (3.77 ± 0.07 μg/kg) and ochratoxin B1 (3.19 ± 0.05 μg/kg) were detected, which suggested a higher risk of fungal toxin contamination. Finally, co-occurrence network analysis was performed, and the results revealed that butyl 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with Moesziomyces and Alternaria. These findings will contribute to the knowledge base of rice storage management and guide the development of effective control measures against undesirable microbial activities. Full article

Among the technologies for the recovery of energy from waste, in particular residual municipal solid waste (rMSW), combustion is the most widely used thermo-chemical treatment process associated with thermal and electric power production by a steam cycle, named, shortly, Waste to Energy (WtE). Today, more than 500 WtE plants in the EU, about 400 in China and 76 in the USA are in operation, based on efficient technologies and advanced air pollution control systems. Energy recovery can be accomplished also by means of gasification; however, the presence of impurities together with the atmospheric pressure, at which syngas is normally produced, impose the feeding of syngas to a conventional steam cycle, leading to generally lower performances than WtE. The energy recovered by WtE offsets traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels and related emissions, providing savings in term of climate change. However, the savings obtainable by replacing electricity and/or heat will diminish as the energy systems will hopefully become increasingly renewable. Over this medium–long-term horizon, one possibility is to capture the CO₂ from WtE flue gases and to store/use it. From the life cycle assessment perspective, it has been calculated that the introduction of CO₂ capture and storage in WtE, despite energy penalties, is able to reduce the impact on climate change. The alternative approach, proposed to contain the emissions of greenhouse gases in the thermal treatment of waste, is using the carbon contained in it to produce commonly used chemical compounds (waste to chemicals). The benefits, in terms of reductions of greenhouse gases, are expected from the possibility of obtaining chemicals that can replace their analogue normally produced from fossil sources. To date, only one WtC demonstration plant is operating by being fed by rMSW-derived waste, and some similar initiatives are planned, but still adequate assurances in terms of robust knowledge of the involved complex processes, above all, if applied to highly inhomogeneous feed streams such as those obtained from rMSW, are not available. Once the several initiatives come to completion, it will enable waste management professionals to assess performance and to begin to consider such a facility in their planning. Full article

With a characteristic flavour and aroma, “Maçã de Alcobaça” are apples produced in the western region of the mainland of Portugal. Given the known influence of pre-harvest cultural techniques and post-harvest conservation methods on fruit quality, this work evaluated the effect of cultural factors and conservation methods on the volatile profile of ‘Gala’ apples. Tests were carried out during four seasons (2018 to 2021) in two ‘Gala’ apple orchards (F and S) maintained with different irrigation rates and nitrogen fertilisation [normal irrigation and normal nitrogen (Control, NINN), normal irrigation and excess nitrogen (NIEN), excess irrigation and normal nitrogen (EINN), excess irrigation and excess nitrogen (EIEN)], and under three storage conditions [Controlled Atmosphere + 1-methylcyclopropene (CA+1-MCP), Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) and DCA+1-MCP]. The intact fruit volatiles were isolated by headspace solid–phase microextraction (HS–SPME) and analysed by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionisation Detection and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry at harvest (T0) and after 8 months of storage (T8). HS–SPME volatiles from ‘Gala’ apples, obtained at T0 in control conditions, were characterised by trans,trans-α-farnesene dominance (36–69%), followed by hexyl acetate (5–23%) and hexyl hexanoate (3–9%). The four irrigation and nitrogen treatments did not evidence main changes in the apple volatile profile. Instead, storage conditions changed the ratio between compounds; previously undetected compounds attained high percentages and decreased the intensity of the dominant compounds in the control conditions. Although all storage conditions tested changed the volatile profile and emanation intensity, the effect was more accentuated in storage for 8 months with DCA+1-MCP. Full article

This paper presents a method for dynamically maintaining a regional elevation datum using CORS stations as core nodes. By utilizing CORS station data and surface mass loading data (including land water storage, sea level, and atmospheric pressure), the normal height changes of each station can be determined and dynamically maintained. The validity of this method is verified using multiple leveling survey results from five CORS stations in Beijing’s subsidence area between January 2012 and June 2021. Results show that it is necessary to derive and correct the height anomaly variation of CORS stations caused by surface mass loading using the remove-calculate-restore method and the Green’s function integration method, with the influence of surface mass changes reaching a subcentimeter level. CORS stations exhibiting great observation quality achieve a mean accuracy of 2.7 mm in determining normal height changes. Such accuracy surpasses the requirements of second-class leveling surveys covering route lengths exceeding 1.35 km, as well as conforming/closed loop routes with distances greater than 0.46 km. By strategically selecting CORS stations with long-term continuous observations and high-quality data as core nodes within the elevation control network, dynamic maintenance of the regional elevation datum can be achieved based on CORS station data. Full article

In commercial terms, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is considered an exceptional food with excellent sensory and nutritional quality due to its taste, odor, and bioactive compounds; as such, it is of great health interest. This quality can be affected by the oxidative degradation, both chemical and enzymatic (the activity of oxidative, endogenous enzymes from the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase olive fruit type), of essential components during the extraction and conservation of EVOO. In the bibliography, oxygen reduction during the malaxation process and oil storage has been studied in different ways. However, research concerning oxygen reduction in the crushing of the olive fruit or the malaxation of the paste, or both, in the “real extraction condition” is scarce. Oxygen reduction has been compared to control conditions (the concentration of atmospheric oxygen (21%)). Batches of 200 kg of the olive fruit, ‘Picual’ cultivar, were used and the following treatments were applied: Control (21% O₂ Mill–21% O₂ Mixer), “IC-NM”: Inerted crushing -Normal malaxation (6.25% O₂ Mill-21% O₂ Mixer), “NC-IM”: Normal crushing-Inerted malaxation (21% O₂ Mill-4.39% O₂ Mixer) and “IC-IM”: Inerted crushing -Inerted malaxation (5.5% O₂ Mill-10.5% O₂ Mixer). The parameters of commercial quality covered by regulation (free acidity, peroxide value and absorbency in ultra-violet (K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀)) did not suffer any change concerning the control, and so the oils belong to the commercial category of “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”. The phenolic compounds of the olives involved in the distinctive bitter and pungent taste, health properties, and oxidative stability are increased with the downsizing amounts of oxygen in the IC-NM, NC-IM, and IC-IM treatments with an average of 4, 10, and 20%, respectively. In contrast, the total amount of volatile compounds decreases by 10–20% in all oxygen reduction treatments. The volatile compounds arising from the lipoxygenase pathway, which are responsible for the green and fruity notes of EVOO, also decreased in concentration with the treatments by 15–20%. The results show how oxygen reduction in the milling and malaxation stages of olive fruit can modulate the content of phenols, volatile compounds, carotenoids, and chlorophyll pigments in the EVOO to avoid the degradation of the compound with sensorial and nutritional interest. Full article

With the frequent occurrence of extreme climates around the world, the frequency of regional wildfires is also on the rise, which poses a serious threat to the safety of human life, property, and regional ecosystems. To investigate the role of extreme climates in the occurrence and spread of wildfires, we combined precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil moisture (SM), maximum temperature (MT), relative humidity, plant canopy water, vapor pressure deficit, and a combined hydrological drought index based on six Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its follow-on (GRACE-FO) products to study the relationship between climate change and wildfires across Australia between 2003 and 2020. The results show that Australia’s wildfires are mainly concentrated in the northern region, with a small number being distributed along the southeastern coast. The high burned months are September (2.5941 × 10⁶ ha), October (4.9939 × 10⁶ ha), and November (3.8781 × 10⁶ ha), while the years with a larger burned area are 2011 (79.95 × 10⁶ ha) and 2012 (78.33 × 10⁶ ha) during the study period. On a seasonal scale, the terrestrial water storage change and the hydrometeorological factors have the strong correlations with burned area, while for only the drought index, SM and MT are strongly related to burned area on an interannual scale. By comparing the data between the high burned and normal years, the impact of droughts on wildfires is achieved through two aspects: (1) the creation of a dry atmospheric environment, and (2) the accumulation of natural combustibles. Extreme climates affect wildfires through the occurrence of droughts. Among them, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation has the greatest impact on drought in Australia, followed by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole (correlation coefficients are −0.33, −0.31, and −0.23, respectively), but there is little difference among the three. The proposed hydrological drought index in our study has the potential to provide an early warning of regional wildfires. Our results have a certain reference significance for comprehensively understanding the impact mechanism of extreme climates on regional wildfires and for establishing an early warning system for regional wildfires. Full article