Integration with agriculture
The fourth and fifth cascades as the basis for sustainable agriculture
Concept
If the second and third cascades restore the natural hydrology of the mountains, thenThe fourth and fifth cascades connect the mountain ecosystem with agriculture.
This is where water becomes a resource for humans.
Ravines, streams, foothills, and infiltration fields should not only protect the area from floods, but also ensure a stable water supply for agricultural land, increase soil fertility, and reduce dependence on artificial irrigation.
The main principle:
Every flood should benefit agriculture, not cause damage.
The Fourth Cascade - Ravines and Streams
The main task
Transform a destructive flow of water into a controlled source of moisture and fertility.
Main functions
Fourth cascade:
slows down the movement of water;
retains fertile silt;
reduces erosion;
replenishes groundwater;
creates moisture reserves for adjacent fields;
protects agricultural infrastructure.
Agrarian integration
Along the ravines the following are created:
Forest belts
Used:
ash tree;
oak;
elm;
linden;
maple;
local shrubs.
Functions:
wind protection;
strengthening of banks;
reduction of evaporation;
increasing biodiversity;
creating an environment for pollinators.
Buffer strips
In front of agricultural fields, strips are formed with a width from several meters to tens of meters (depending on the slope, soil type and estimated runoff).
They are delayed:
soil;
organics;
fertilizers;
pesticide residues;
seeds.
This reduces pollution of watercourses and preserves the fertile soil layer.
Biological filters
Used:
meadow communities;
moisture-loving herbs;
shrubs;
small marshy areas.
They additionally purify water before it reaches fields and rivers.
Fifth Cascade - Foothills
The main task
Create the largest moisture reservoir for agriculture.
Detention pools
During heavy rains they:
take in excess water;
reduce the flood peak;
retain fertile silt;
create a seasonal supply of water.
During the dry period:
recharge groundwater;
provide environmental drainage;
maintain soil moisture.
Infiltration fields
Main task:
maximize the natural recharge of aquifers.
Some of the water seeps into the soil and then slowly returns:
into wells;
to the springs;
to agricultural lands;
into the rivers.
Agricultural zones
The foothills are divided into several functional areas.
Intensive farming zone
Placed:
grain crops;
vegetable growing;
forage crops.
The water accumulated by the cascade system is used.
Agroforestry
Multi-tiered systems are created:
upper tier
walnut;
chestnut;
oak;
fruit trees (depending on climate).
Middle tier
berry bushes;
nitrogen-fixing shrubs;
honey plants.
Lower tier
forage grasses;
medicinal plants;
ground cover crops.
Hayfields and pastures
In areas with periodic moisture the following are formed:
natural meadows;
forage fields;
seasonal pastures.
They receive moisture from rising groundwater levels, not just from surface irrigation.
Fruit Valleys
If there is a suitable climate, the following are created:
gardens;
vineyards;
walnut groves;
berry farms.
The restored hydrological system becomes the main source of moisture.
Use of sediments
The sediment accumulated in the fourth and fifth cascades is considered a valuable resource.
Once analyzed, they can be used to:
restoration of degraded fields;
increasing fertility;
formation of new soils;
reclamation of disturbed lands.
Water supply for agriculture
Priority is given to:
infiltration;
replenishment of groundwater;
local accumulation of water;
only then - traditional irrigation.
This approach reduces evaporation losses and increases the sustainability of agricultural landscapes.
DREVO Smart Agriculture
The fourth and fifth cascades are integrated with the precision farming system.
Used:
humidity sensors;
weather control stations;
groundwater monitoring;
satellite data;
TREVO AeroSense Drone;
artificial intelligence DREVO AI.
The system allows you to predict:
watering times;
drought risk;
probability of floods;
need for drainage;
soil condition.
Economic effect
Integration of cascades with agriculture allows:
reduce irrigation costs;
reduce the loss of fertile soil;
reduce flood damage;
increase crop yields;
increase the resilience of farms to climate change;
reduce dependence on artificial reservoirs;
restore traditional agricultural landscapes.
Integration into the DREVO ecosystem
The fourth and fifth cascades combine:
DREVO Mountain Sponge— accumulation and redistribution of moisture;
Mountain Forest Corridors— protective forest belts and ecological corridors;
Mountain Springs Recovery— feeding of springs and groundwater;
Living Mountain Observatory— monitoring of water regime;
Mountain Digital Twin— digital modeling of the watershed;
TREVO AeroSense Drone— control of erosion, field conditions and vegetation;
DREVO Smart Agriculture- management of agricultural territories.
Conclusion
The fourth and fifth cascades become a link between natural processes and agriculture. Here, water ceases to be a threat and becomes the foundation of a sustainable agricultural landscape. Instead of fighting floods and constantly increasing artificial irrigation, the DREVO project proposes using the natural hydrology of the mountains to develop productive agricultural systems where water, fertile soil, shelterbelts, and fields function as a single, interconnected ecosystem.