Slope restoration

Slope restoration

DREVO Mountain Slope Restoration Framework

Project philosophy

A slope is more than just a sloping surface. It is a complex natural system in which water, soil, vegetation, microorganisms, animals, climate, and geology are interconnected.

Destruction of any of these components leads to chain degradation:

increased erosion;

disappearance of humus;

reduction of infiltration;

drying up of springs;

reduction of biodiversity;

increase in fire danger;

the formation of landslides and mudflows.

The goal of the DREVO project is not to strengthen the slope with separate engineering structures, but to restore its ability to self-regulate.

Basic principles

1. Water should remain on the slope for as long as possible

Each drop must go through four stages:

linger with vegetation;

be absorbed into the soil;

used by plants;

safely go into the underground drain.

Surface rapid runoff should be the exception.

2. Soil is the main reservoir of water

The main moisture accumulator is not an artificial reservoir, but restored soil.

Each additional centimeter of humus layer significantly increases the water-holding capacity of the area.

3. Vegetation is an engineering structure

Each plant species performs a specific function:

strengthens the soil;

creates humus;

retains snow;

reduces wind speed;

maintains microclimate;

nourishes soil biota.

4. The slope functions as a cascade

Water should not stop in one place.

It goes through the system:

microcascades;

terraces;

infiltration bowls;

vegetation strips;

hollow;

emergency channels.

Stage 1. Diagnostics

Before starting work, a comprehensive survey is carried out.

Geology

type of rocks;

slope stability;

soil depth;

cracking.

Hydrology

catchment area;

surface runoff paths;

infiltration;

presence of springs.

Climate

amount of precipitation;

intensity of rainfall;

wind direction;

snow load;

duration of droughts.

Biology

existing vegetation;

invasive species;

soil condition;

mycorrhiza;

biodiversity.

Stage 2. Restoration of hydrology

The water regime is restored first.

Created:

contour lines;

microterrace;

infiltration bowls;

cascade;

sediment traps;

emergency overflows.

The main task is to reduce the speed of the surface flow.

Stage 3. Soil restoration

Used:

wood chips;

mulch;

compost;

local organics;

biochar;

mycorrhiza;

soil microorganisms.

The goal is to form a stable humus horizon.

Stage 4. Formation of plant communities

It is not individual trees that are planted, but entire communities.

Upper tier

trees

Average

shrubs

Lower

herbs

Soil

mosses

lichens

mushrooms

Step 5: Creating Cascades

Each slope is divided into many independent elements.

Each element has:

working volume;

reserve volume;

emergency overflow.

No cascade should act as a dam.

Stage 6. Working with water

Created:

Mountain Sponge;

restoration of springs;

distribution of melt water;

mist eliminators;

DREVO Cloud & Mist system;

accumulation of rainwater.

Stage 7. Fire resistance

Created:

fire breaks;

water reservoirs;

drone platforms;

stable plant communities;

automatic monitoring.

High-rise zoning

1. Comb

The main task

Watershed protection.

Plants

mosses;

lichens;

low grasses;

cushion plants;

individual bushes.

2. Upper slope

The main task

Stopping erosion.

Landing:

cereals;

shrubs;

ash tree;

maple;

linden.

Micro-terraces are being created.

3. Middle slope

A mixed forest is formed.

Main types

ash tree;

oak;

linden;

elm;

maple.

4. Lower slope

Maximum water accumulation.

Added:

alder;

willows;

moisture-loving shrubs.

5. Hollows

Strengthened:

sedges;

sieves;

willows;

Good morning.

6. Spring zones

Maximum water protection.

Minimum intervention.

Use of robotic technology

The work is performed by:

TREVO AeroSense Drone

scanning;

building a model;

erosion control;

monitoring.

DREVO Mountain Rover

Performed by:

earthworks;

construction of cascades;

landing;

service.

WOOD AI

Calculates:

water movement;

forest development;

fire risk;

slope stability.

Digital twin

Each site receives a digital passport.

The following are recorded:

relief;

humidity;

soil condition;

vegetation;

springs;

sensors;

service history;

photographs;

measurement results.

Environmental results

After restoration it is expected:

reduction of erosion;

increased infiltration;

increase in organic matter content;

restoration of springs;

increasing drought resistance;

reducing the impact of extreme rainfall events;

increasing biodiversity;

reducing fire hazard;

slope stabilization;

growth of carbon stocks.

Stages of ecosystem development

0–3 years

Formation of microrelief and soil.

3–10 years

Development of shrubs and young trees.

10–30 years

Formation of mixed forest.

30–80 years

Stabilization of water regime.

80–300 years

Formation of a mature self-regulating mountain ecosystem.

Integration into the DREVO ecosystem

The project unites:

DREVO Mountain Sponge— accumulation and distribution of moisture;

Mountain Springs Recovery— restoration of springs;

DREVO Cloud & Mist System— microclimate and evaporation control;

Mountain Forest Corridors— design of plant communities;

Living Mountain Observatory— monitoring network;

Mountain Digital Twin— digital modeling;

TREVO AeroSense Drone- remote sensing;

WOOD BioFire System— prevention and local suppression of natural fires;

DREVO Mountain Rover— robotic execution of restoration works.

Conclusion

Slope restoration should be viewed as a long-term ecosystem management process, not a one-time engineering intervention. DREVO proposes a shift from combating the effects of erosion to designing resilient landscapes where topography, water, soil, vegetation, and digital technologies work together as a unified system.

This approach allows us to simultaneously increase the resilience of slopes to extreme rainfall and drought, restore water balance, increase biodiversity, and create the basis for the long-term functioning of mountain ecosystems over many decades.