Climate change is significantly altering the structure and function of agroecosystems, including woody perennial crops such as Olea europaea (olive trees), which are increasingly recognized for their role in carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience across Mediterranean landscapes. Following the recent inclusion of woody crops in the EU Carbon Removals Certification Framework (Regulation EU 2024/3012), this study presents a pilot case using TTCarbon IoT-based dendrometers to continuously monitor stem radial growth in olive orchards.

By integrating high-frequency dendrometer data with species-specific allometric equations, we dynamically estimate aboveground biomass and carbon stocks, enabling continuous Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) in accordance with the EU’s QU.A.L.ITY standards. This real-time monitoring captures diurnal and seasonal physiological responses to climate variability—capabilities that traditional field inventories and remote sensing methods lack. These data provide key insights into vulnerability and resilience hotspots within agricultural ecosystems and allow for more adaptive and evidence-based management interventions.

The TTCarbon system represents a technological and methodological advancement for climate-smart agriculture. It enables the tracking of climate impacts on tree growth in near real time and supports both adaptation and mitigation strategies through accurate carbon accounting. As agriculture moves toward greater transparency and sustainability under evolving EU climate policies, sensor-based monitoring offers a scalable and actionable tool to enhance the resilience of agroecosystems and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development goals.