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Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) measurement is usually performed by sophisticated sensors that require high technical knowledge and that are not economically affordable for most end users. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of a novel LI-710 sensor for measuring ETc on a pistachio orchard. This simplified and easy-to-use sensor applies the Eddy Covariance (EC) method to measure water vapor flux between the surface and the atmosphere, however, it is cheaper and less complex than traditional EC heat flux system. The LI-710 sensor was installed together to an EC tower and the measurements provided by both methodologies were compared. Initial results evidenced a good agreement in terms of the evaluated meteorological variables, except for relative humidity, where higher discrepancies among sensors were observed. Regarding the sensible (H) and latent (LE) heat fluxes, the values measured by both methodologies were similar, with R2 values of 0.96 and 0.80; and RMSE values of 19 and 29 W m−2, respectively. These results suggest that LI-710 sensor can be a valid alternative to traditional EC systems for deriving ETc. However, LI-710 continues to have the fetch limitations presented in traditional methodologies, so future efforts should be paid to reduce this requirement increasing its usability in medium-small sized agricultural plots. 

Who’s cooking, who’s cleaning, and who’s got the remote control within the waters blanketing Earth? Anatomically tiny, numerically dominant microbes are the crucial “homemakers” of the watery household. Phytoplankton’s culinary abilities enable them to create food by absorbing sunlight to fix carbon and release oxygen, making microbial autotrophs top-chefs in the aquatic kitchen. However, they are not the only bioengineers that balance this complex household. Ubiquitous heterotrophic microbes including prokaryotic bacteria and archaea (both “bacteria” henceforth), eukaryotic protists, and viruses, recycle organic matter and make inorganic nutrients available to primary producers. Grazing protists compete with viruses for bacterial biomass, whereas mixotrophic protists produce new organic matter as well as consume microbial biomass. When viruses press remote-control buttons, by modifying host genomes or lysing them, the outcome can reverberate throughout the microbial community and beyond. Despite recognition of the vital role of microbes in biosphere housekeeping, impacts of anthropogenic stressors and climate change on their biodiversity, evolution, and ecological function remain poorly understood. How trillions of the smallest organisms in Earth’s largest ecosystem respond will be hugely consequential. By making the study of ecology personal, the “housekeeping” perspective can provide better insights into changing ecosystem structure and function at all scales.