Water savings compare irrigation (measured per valve per event by Phytech’s in-field sensors) to industry standard recommendations. Industry standard irrigation amounts are determined using the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Recommendations (FAO, 2012) dataset. 

Carbon avoided is calculated based on the electricity savings achieved from reduced irrigation pumping. We model electricity savings per unit of irrigation water pumped (kWh per ac-ft) based on USDA datasets and research (USDA 2018 Irrigation and Water Management Survey, Robert B. Sowby, Emily Dicataldo. "The energy footprint of U.S. irrigation: A first estimate from open data." Energy Nexus (2022)).

Phytech estimates carbon removal using its proprietary dendrometer sensors, and periodic measurements of trunk circumference. Together, these two data points allow us to calculate total changes in tree biomass using standard allometric equations. This approach is based on the UN Clean Development Mechanism methodology for Estimation of Carbon Stocks in Trees and Shrubs. 

The stress prevention score is based on Phytech’s proprietary plant status algorithm. The stress prevention score gives the percentage of days in which trees were not in yield-affecting stress. The plant status score is based on continuous measurement and calculation of key metrics, including plant growth and maximum daily shrinkage.

Tree count assumes an average of 113 trees per acre across all monitored fields.