A systematic literature review on the influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation on rainfall variability in Central Java, Indonesia

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon greatly influences rainfall variability in tropical regions, including Central Java, Indonesia. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. This study examines 50 articles from 2010 to 2025, as well as conducting a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, to identify trends and the evolution of themes. The results of the study indicate that El Niño generally reduces rainfall and increases the risk of drought, while La Niña tends to increase rainfall, potentially causing flooding. The impacts of ENSO extend to agriculture, food security, and water management, and are amplified by interactions with Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The study also found that recent research increasingly highlights hydrological and food security aspects, although there are still gaps in the integration of multiscale climate phenomena. Key recommendations include the development of high-resolution rainfall prediction models, the use of satellite technology for real-time monitoring, and ENSO-based early warning systems. As the first systematic review focusing on Central Java, this study is expected to strengthen the scientific basis for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies at the regional level.