Eighth Cascade - Coastal Zone

Eighth Cascade - Coastal Zone

DREVO Coastal Resilience & Blue Ecosystem System (CRBES)

The role of the coastal zone

The coastal zone is the transition between the land and the marine ecosystem. While the seventh cascade completes the regulation of river flow, the eighth cascade ensures sustainable interaction between the land, sea, and atmosphere.

This is the most dynamic part of the entire system, simultaneously experiencing the impact of:

ebb and flow;

storm surges;

sea ​​waves;

wind erosion;

sea ​​level rise;

salinization;

sand transfer;

river sediments.

The main task is not to completely contain the sea, but to restore the natural mechanisms of coastal protection.

The main principle:

The coast should absorb the energy of the sea, not fight it.

Main tasks

The eighth cascade provides:

coastline protection;

Dune restoration;

beach preservation;

protection of freshwater ecosystems;

formation of coastal forests;

sand accumulation;

reduction of storm erosion;

support for marine biodiversity;

infrastructure protection.

Main threats

dune destruction;

beach erosion;

soil salinization;

storm surges;

there will be a loss;

disappearance of lagoons;

degradation of coastal vegetation;

destruction of bird nesting sites;

sea ​​level rise.

Spatial structure

1. Marine buffer zone

The first to receive wave energy.

Used:

underwater sandbanks;

reef structures;

artificial bioreefs;

restoration of seagrass meadows;

restoration of natural stone ridges.

Main task:

reduce wave energy before reaching the shore.

2. Surf zone

A natural exchange of sand occurs here.

Main tasks:

beach preservation;

restoration of natural sediment transport;

preventing erosion.

The use of rigid concrete structures should be kept to a minimum.

3. Dune system

Dunes are the land's first line of defense.

Functions:

protection from storm waves;

sand accumulation;

reduction of wind erosion;

protection of internal ecosystems.

Used:

sand trap fences;

restoration of natural vegetation;

restriction of transport movements.

4. Coastal wetlands

Behind the dunes are located:

lagoons;

brackish marshes;

freshwater marshes;

shallow water bodies.

Functions:

water accumulation;

cleaning;

storm protection;

support for biodiversity.

5. Coastal forest belt

A protective green barrier is formed.

Main functions:

wind protection;

reduction of evaporation;

soil stabilization;

protection of internal territories.

Work under normal conditions

The system provides:

natural sediment exchange;

beach preservation;

dune nutrition;

development will occur;

sustainable existence of coastal flora and fauna.

Working during a storm

During times of severe excitement:

some of the energy is absorbed by underwater reefs;

the remainder is scattered on the beach;

the dunes take the brunt of the waves;

water temporarily flows into the lagoons;

swamps accumulate excess water;

After a storm, the system gradually recovers naturally.

Working with rising sea levels

The project provides for the possibility of gradual adaptation.

Used:

migration zones for swamps;

dune expansion;

restoration of natural sand transport;

relocation of infrastructure from the most dangerous areas.

Priority is given to the adaptation of natural systems rather than the constant build-up of concrete protective structures.

Working with sand

Sand is considered a strategic coastal resource.

Created:

natural accumulation zones;

sand trap systems;

dune reservoirs;

restoration of coastal sediment transport.

Uncontrolled removal of sand from the active coastal system is prohibited.

Coastal plant communities

Front dunes

Sand-strengthening species of local flora.

Main dunes

Drought-resistant shrubs.

Back dunes

Shrub-forest communities.

Coastal forests

Depending on the region:

pine trees (only local species);

tamarisk;

juniper;

oak;

ash (in freshwater areas);

poplar;

willows.

Only species that are natural to a specific climate zone are used.

Blue Ecosystem

The eighth cascade unites:

lagoons;

sea ​​grass;

salt marshes;

swamps;

river mouths;

shallow waters;

dune lakes.

It is these ecosystems that provide:

carbon accumulation;

fish reproduction;

coastal protection;

high biodiversity.

Biological engineering

Used:

local plants;

biomats;

coconut mats;

wooden structures;

natural sand-retaining elements;

restoration of soil microbiota.

Robotic technologies

WOOD Coastal Rover

Performed by:

Dune restoration;

installation of sand trap systems;

planting of vegetation;

lagoon maintenance;

construction of ecological structures.

TREVO AeroSense Drone

Controls:

sand movement;

coastal erosion;

area of ​​swamps;

vegetation condition;

consequences of storms;

changes in the coastline.

WOOD AI

Calculates:

sand transfer;

change of coastline;

risk of storm surges;

Dune restoration;

sea ​​level change;

sustainability of coastal ecosystems.

Monitoring

Living Mountain Observatory records:

width of beaches;

the height of the dunes;

sea ​​level;

salinity;

wind direction;

volume of sand carried;

state of swamps;

vegetation development;

frequency of storms;

change in coastline.

Integration

The eighth cascade unites:

Atlantic & Mediterranean Coastal Water and Soil Resilience Initiative (AMCWSRI);

DREVO Mountain Sponge;

Mountain Springs Recovery;

Mountain Forest Corridors;

Living Mountain Observatory;

Mountain Digital Twin;

TREVO AeroSense Drone;

DREVO Cloud & Mist System(to support young plantings in arid coastal areas).

Expected results

After the restoration of the eighth cascade, the following is expected:

reducing the rate of coastal erosion;

restoration of natural sand transport;

increase in dune areas;

restoration of lagoons and coastal marshes;

protection of freshwater ecosystems from salinization;

increasing storm resilience;

beach preservation;

increasing biodiversity;

increasing stocks of "blue carbon" in coastal ecosystems.

Conclusion

The eighth cascade completes the conceptDREVO Living Mountains, connecting restored mountain watersheds with resilient coastal and marine ecosystems. Here, water, sediment, sand, vegetation, and marine processes work together as a unified natural system. Instead of a rigid confrontation with the sea, the project proposes restoring natural coastal defense mechanisms—dunes, marshes, lagoons, coastal forests, and marine ecosystems—to ensure long-term coastline resilience and protect freshwater resources in the face of climate change.