Radar technology in space can be used to measure how ‘thirsty’ plants and crops are. This could play a key role in improving our understanding of how ecosystems and the water and carbon cycles interrelate. …Van Emmerik conducted research into precipitation, evaporation and ways of measuring plants’ thirst. His main focus was on the tropical rainforests. This is because they have an essential role to play in the Earth’s water, oxygen and carbon cycles. “If the Amazonian rainforest becomes increasingly drier, or is reduced in size because of deforestation, this will have an impact on the water and carbon cycles. That could contribute to climate change on Earth,” explains van Emmerik.