Secondcascade —Upper slopes

Secondcascade —Upper slopes

DREVO Upper Slopes Restoration System (USRS)

The role of the upper slopes

The upper slope is the most important part of the mountain ecosystem after the watershed. It is here that the mountain's primary water balance is formed, precipitation infiltration begins, and the stability of the entire underlying area is determined.

If the upper slope degrades, it leads to a chain reaction:

surface runoff accelerates;

the formation of gullies begins;

infiltration decreases;

groundwater recharge decreases;

springs dry up;

erosion of the middle and lower slopes increases;

the risk of mudflows increases;

the fire danger increases.

Therefore, mountain restoration always begins from the upper slope.

Main tasks

The upper slope must perform six main functions:

accept atmospheric precipitation;

maximize infiltration;

reduce the rate of surface runoff;

hold the soil;

provide nutrition to springs;

create conditions for the formation of the future forest.

Main threats

Upper slopes are most sensitive to:

strong winds;

abnormal downpours;

prolonged droughts;

solar radiation;

fires;

soil weathering;

frost destruction of soil;

landslide processes;

overgrazing;

movement of equipment.

The principle of recovery

The work is carried out from top to bottom.

Subsequence:

restoration of water regime;

soil restoration;

creation of cascades;

formation of plant communities;

installation of a monitoring system.

Engineering structure of the upper slope

1. Watershed line

It remains practically unchanged.

Only the following is allowed:

soil protection;

vegetation restoration;

installation of sensors;

service.

2. Upper transition zone

Created:

stone crescents;

microterrace;

landing pockets;

shrub islands.

The main task is to hold back the first flows of water.

3. Main recovery area

This is the largest part of the upper slope.

This is where the DREVO Mountain Sponge system is built.

Created:

contour lines;

cascade;

infiltration bowls;

landing sites;

vegetation strips.

4. Transition to the middle slope

A smooth transition is formed without sharp changes.

The flow of water should now be much slower.

Working with water

Each drop goes through the following sequence:

Precipitation →

vegetation →

bedding →

microcascade →

infiltration bowl →

soil →

root system →

underground drain →

spring.

In case of extreme rainfall:

Precipitation →

microcascade →

contour trench →

emergency overflow →

safe channel.

Working in a drought

Main objective:

retain moisture.

Used:

mulch;

mosses;

biochar;

soil microorganisms;

shrub islands;

shading;

DREVO Cloud & Mist system.

Work during abnormal rainfall

Each element is designed for safe overflow.

Used:

wide iridescence;

stone spillways;

plant filters;

emergency troughs.

It is strictly forbidden to direct the entire flow to one point.

Formation of cascades

Each cascade includes:

The upper part

Water intake.

Average

Infiltration.

Lower

Controlled overflow.

Side parts

Securing with vegetation.

Soil restoration

Main events:

loosening the compacted layer;

introduction of wood chips;

mulching;

use of local organics;

mycorrhization;

development of soil biota.

The main goal is to transform the thin degraded layer into living water-retaining soil.

Design of plant communities

A multi-tiered structure is used.

Soil level

mosses;

lichens;

mushrooms.

Grassy level

fescue;

sedges;

local perennial herbs;

legumes.

Shrub level

hazel;

red;

viburnum;

дёрен;

Give me a break.

Tree level

Main types:

ash tree;

linden;

field maple;

elm;

oak (depending on conditions);

merry.

They are planted in mixed groups.

Biological engineering

The following are used for recovery:

local mycorrhiza;

soil microorganisms;

biochar;

organic mulch;

seed mixtures of local species.

Basic principle:

First the soil is restored, then the forest develops.

Robotization

The work is carried out by the system:

DREVO Mountain Rover

Performed by:

construction of cascades;

creation of terraces;

landing;

service.

TREVO AeroSense Drone

Conducted by:

LiDAR scanning;

spectral analysis;

thermal imaging control;

erosion assessment;

recovery monitoring.

WOOD AI

Calculates:

routes of movement;

volumes of excavation work;

optimal placement of cascades;

development of plant communities;

risk of erosion;

fire hazard.

Integration with the water system

The upper slope is associated with:

Mountain Sponge;

Mountain Springs Recovery;

DREVO Cloud & Mist System;

Living Mountain Observatory;

Mountain Digital Twin.

All elements operate as a single hydrological system.

Monitoring

The following sensors are installed on the upper slope:

soil moisture;

temperatures;

precipitation;

wind speed;

water level;

ground movements;

vegetation conditions.

Data is fed into Mountain Digital Twin.

Environmental results

A properly restored upper slope ensures:

reduction of surface runoff;

increased infiltration;

restoration of the humus layer;

groundwater recharge;

stabilization of springs;

reduction of erosion;

reducing the risk of landslides;

increasing drought resistance;

reducing fire hazard;

formation of a sustainable mixed forest.

Work priorities

The work is carried out in the following order:

watershed protection;

restoration of hydrology;

construction of cascades;

soil stabilization;

planting ground cover plants;

planting shrubs;

tree planting;

mycorrhiza introduction;

launch of the monitoring system;

long-term support.

Conclusion

The upper slope is the main regulator of the entire mountain ecosystem. It is here that the fate of water, soil, forest, and springs is determined. In the conceptDREVO Upper Slopes Restoration SystemThe upper slope is viewed as a natural engineering system where hydrology, topography, plant communities, robotic technology, and digital monitoring combine to create a resilient, self-healing landscape capable of withstanding both extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts.