Nonnative plantations can help conserve soil and water, but in dry areas, soil can dry out, leading to plant decline and crop failure. To manage this, scientists have developed a way to measure how much water plants need and how many plants can thrive in an area without drying out the soil. For example, in a semi-arid region, caragana shrubs can have 71 bushes per 100 square meters without drying out the soil. This method helps ensure sustainable use of water resources and healthy forest growth.