Third Cascade - Middle Slopes

Third Cascade - Middle Slopes

DREVO Middle Slope Restoration System (MSRS)

The role of the middle slopes

The middle slopes arethe main zone of water accumulation, soil formation and development of mature forestWhile the upper slopes receive and slow down the water, the middle slopes transform it into a long-term reserve, providing nutrition to trees, springs, and the underlying areas.

It is here that the most productive part of the mountain ecosystem is formed.

The middle slopes perform five main functions:

water accumulation and infiltration;

formation of fertile soil;

development of sustainable mixed forests;

slope stabilization;

filtration of water before it enters the lower zones.

The main principle:

The middle slope is a natural "sponge" of the mountain, which turns a short downpour into a multi-month supply of moisture.

Main tasks

The average slope should:

maximize infiltration;

reduce the speed of water movement;

restore the deep humus horizon;

to form a sustainable mixed forest;

prevent the formation of ravines;

increase the supply of springs;

create maximum biodiversity.

Main threats

Medium slopes are most sensitive to:

surface runoff concentrations;

formation of ravines;

landslides;

soil degradation;

forest fires;

monocultures;

invasive species;

cutting down;

heavy equipment.

Spatial structure

Upper part

Receives water from the upper cascade.

Functions:

reception of distributed runoff;

additional water slowdown;

the beginning of deep infiltration.

Central part

Main recovery area.

Created:

cascading terraces;

forest pockets;

infiltration basins;

distribution troughs;

biological filters.

Bottom part

Transfers already purified and slowed down water to the next cascade.

Working with water

Water goes through the following sequence:

upper cascade →

contour terraces →

forest litter →

root zone →

soil profile →

rock cracks →

underground stream →

springs →

lower slope.

In case of abnormal rainfall:

upper cascade →

terraces →

contour depressions →

emergency overflows →

protected riverbeds.

Cascade system

Each cascade includes:

Reception area

Receives a stream from the upper level.

Infiltration zone

The main place of water accumulation.

Used:

deep soil;

biochar;

wood chips;

organics;

developed root system.

Biological zone

The richest plant community is formed.

Overflow

Works only when full.

Soil formation

Main objective:

create a deep forest humus horizon.

Used:

leaf litter;

wood residues;

mycorrhiza;

mushrooms;

earthworms;

microorganisms;

biochar.

This is where long-term accumulation of organic carbon begins.

Design of plant communities

The middle slope is the zone of maximum biodiversity.

Soil level

mosses;

lichens;

mushrooms.

Groundcover plants

strawberries;

hoofed;

deadnettle;

forest sedges;

tenacious.

Grassy level

local herbs;

ferns;

forest cereals;

legumes.

Shrub level

hazel;

red;

viburnum;

beresklet;

honeysuckle;

hawthorn.

Tree level

Main forest frame:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ash

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oak

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Linden

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elm

⭐⭐⭐ Maple

⭐⭐⭐ Cherry

⭐⭐⭐ Rowan

Species are selected in accordance with local natural conditions.

Functional distribution of trees

Ash tree

Rapid soil restoration.

Deep root system.

High growth rate.

Oak

Formation of a durable forest framework.

Linden

Formation of humus.

Pollinator support.

Elm

Stabilization of wet areas.

Maple

Filling the gaps.

Merry

Support for birds.

Biological engineering

Used:

local mycorrhiza;

nitrogen-fixing bacteria;

soil fungi;

forest litter;

wood mulch.

Main task:

to bring artificial restoration as close as possible to natural processes.

Working in a drought

The system retains moisture thanks to:

deep humus;

mulch;

dense forest litter;

mycorrhiza;

shading;

developed root system.

Evaporation is reduced naturally.

Working in extreme rainfall

The system must:

accept flow;

distribute water;

prevent the formation of ravines;

preserve the soil;

direct excess water through emergency channels.

No cascade should concentrate the flow.

Robotization

Used:

DREVO Mountain Rover

Performed by:

construction of cascades;

loosening;

landing;

service.

TREVO AeroSense Drone

Controls:

forest development;

humidity;

erosion;

thermal regime;

vegetation condition.

WOOD AI

Optimizes:

placement of terraces;

forest structure;

hydrology;

forecast of ecosystem development.

Monitoring

Living Mountain Observatory monitors:

soil moisture;

temperature;

organic matter content;

mycorrhiza development;

tree growth;

infiltration;

slope stability;

condition of springs.

Integration

The middle slope combines the work of:

Mountain Sponge— accumulation and distribution of moisture;

Mountain Springs Recovery— feeding of springs;

Mountain Forest Corridors— formation of sustainable forest ecosystems;

DREVO Cloud & Mist System— support for young plantings during periods of drought;

Living Mountain Observatory— condition monitoring;

Mountain Digital Twin— modeling of hydrological and ecological processes;

WOOD BioFire System— prevention of natural fires.

Expected results

In 10–20 years:

restoration of continuous vegetation cover;

increasing the thickness of the humus horizon;

increase in infiltration;

slope stabilization;

reduction of erosion.

In 30–80 years:

formation of mature mixed forest;

restoration of a stable water regime;

increasing the flow rate of springs (under favorable hydrogeological conditions);

carbon accumulation;

formation of a sustainable self-regulating ecosystem.

Conclusion

The middle slopes arethe heart of the entire mountain ecosystemIt is here that the main processes of water accumulation, the formation of fertile soil, and the development of mature forests are concentrated. In the systemDREVO Middle Slope Restoration SystemThe mid-slope is seen as a natural hydrological accumulator, where cascades, plant communities, soil biota and digital technologies work together to ensure the long-term resilience of the mountain landscape to droughts, extreme rainfall and climate change.