New method predicts olive tree water needs in changing climate.
Researchers studied how much water olive trees need when there isn't much water in the soil. They used probes to measure water flow in the soil and air, and a weather station to track the weather. By comparing the water used by the trees to the evaporation of grass, they found a strong connection. This means they can predict how much water the trees need based on the weather. The method was tested and found to be accurate.