Atmometer

An atmometer or evaporimeter is a scientific instrument used for measuring the rate of water evaporation from a wet surface to the atmosphere.

An atmometer consists of a porous, ceramic plate connected to a water reservoir by a glass or plastic tube.

The canvas cover is important because it simulates the amount of solar radiation a plant absorbs under certain weather conditions and controls the rate of evaporation.

Different types of canvas covers simulate different amounts of evapotranspiration rates that various plant surfaces would undergo.

A data logger automatically records the level of water every time a change due to evaporation occurs.

In a 2003 study conducted on the Central Coast of California, the performance of atmometers was compared with that of the more expensive weather stations.