Transformation of mountains into a natural system of water accumulation and distribution
Concept
DREVO Mountain Sponge— is a complex natural engineering system designed to restore the ability of mountain ecosystems to retain, accumulate, purify and gradually release water.
The main goal of the project is to transform the mountain watershed intoliving natural sponge, which works effectively both in conditions of extreme rainfall and during months-long droughts.
Instead of quickly removing water, the system strives to retain it within the ecosystem for as long as possible.
The main principle:
Every drop of water must travel the longest possible path through soil, vegetation and underground horizons before leaving the mountain range.
Why is this necessary?
In many mountainous regions, the following has been observed in recent decades:
increase in the intensity of rainfall;
reduction in the duration of snow cover;
increase in the duration of droughts;
forest degradation;
soil erosion;
lowering of groundwater levels;
drying up of springs;
increased frequency of forest fires.
The main reason is not a lack of precipitation, but a decrease in the landscape's ability to retain water.
The main idea
Mountains must work like a giant natural sponge.
During rain:
take water;
slow down the flow;
distribute moisture;
accumulate it in soil and rocks.
After precipitation ends:
slowly feed the springs;
maintain forests;
ensure constant river flow;
reduce the effects of droughts.
Basic principles
1. Maximum infiltration
Surface runoff should be the exception.
The bulk of the water should penetrate into the soil.
2. Distributed accumulation
Instead of one large reservoir, thousands of small natural reservoirs are created.
Each element holds only a small amount of water, but together they form a huge reservoir.
3. Biological accumulation
The main reservoir is:
forest;
soil;
humus;
root system;
mycorrhiza;
organic matter.
4. Underground accumulation
Water gradually replenishes:
cracks in rocks;
aquifers;
springs;
underground streams.
Nine Cascades of Mountain Sponge
Cascade 1
Combs
Reception of precipitation.
Fog collection.
Snow retention.
Cascade 2
Upper slopes
Main engineering area.
Created:
microterrace;
infiltration bowls;
stone crescents;
landing pockets.
This is where water accumulation begins.
Cascade 3
Middle slopes
The main natural battery.
Here:
the forest is developing;
humus is formed;
mycorrhiza develops;
most of the moisture accumulates.
Cascade 4
Ravines
Slowing down flows.
Stone thresholds.
Nano-solids.
Cascade 5
Foothills
Large infiltration basins.
Groundwater recharge.
Cascade 6
Floodplains
Seasonal flooding.
Restoration of swamps.
Cascade 7
Mouths
Final water purification.
Protection against salinity.
Cascade 8
Coastal zone
Dunes.
Lagoons.
Coastal forests.
Cascade 9
Open ocean
Evaporation.
Cloud formation.
The beginning of a new cycle.
System components
Hydrology
Used:
contour lines;
cascade;
terraces;
infiltration bowls;
distribution troughs;
emergency spillways.
Soil
The following are being restored:
humus;
aggregate structure;
porosity;
biological activity.
Forest
Multi-tiered communities are being created.
Used:
trees;
shrubs;
herbs;
mosses;
mushrooms.
Springs
Power is restored:
springs;
streams;
rivers
Swamps
They are used as natural water accumulators.
Technological solutions
Living Mountain Observatory
The sensor network monitors:
humidity;
temperature;
precipitation;
water level;
wind speed;
ground movement.
Mountain Digital Twin
A digital twin is created.
It models:
water movement;
forest development;
risk of erosion;
climate change.
TREE AeroSense
Used by:
LiDAR;
spectral scanning;
thermal imaging analysis;
vegetation mapping;
soil condition assessment.
WOOD AI
Artificial intelligence calculates:
optimal locations for cascades;
volumes of water accumulation;
development of ecosystems;
flood scenarios;
consequences of droughts.
Robotic systems
Used:
DREVO Mountain Rover;
automatic landing systems;
robotic maintenance;
autonomous monitoring stations.
System operation
During a downpour
Water:
is retained by vegetation;
enters micro-terraces;
distributed in cascades;
absorbed into the soil;
replenishes groundwater.
Only a small excess passes safely on.
During a drought
Accumulated water:
nourishes the forest;
maintains humidity;
provides springs;
maintains the base flow of rivers;
reduces fire hazard.
Integration
Mountain Sponge brings together:
forest restoration;
erosion control;
restoration of springs;
agriculture;
coastal protection;
restoration of swamps;
climate adaptation.
This becomes a unified water management system.
Scientific basis
The system combines the achievements of:
hydrology;
geomorphology;
soil science;
forest ecology;
hydrogeology;
climatology;
engineering ecology;
digital modeling.
The design utilizes digital elevation models, remote sensing data, watershed calculations, and climate change scenarios. Solutions are adapted to the local geology, soils, and natural ecosystems of each specific region.
Key results
After implementation of the system it is expected:
increased infiltration;
restoration of springs;
rising groundwater levels;
reduction of erosion;
reduction of flood peaks;
increasing drought resistance;
reducing the risk of forest fires;
increase in carbon stocks;
restoration of biodiversity;
sustainable water supply for the population and agriculture.
Project mission
DREVO Mountain Sponge— is a new model for managing mountain watersheds that views water as the ecosystem's primary architect. Instead of addressing specific impacts—floods, droughts, erosion, or fires—the project restores natural processes of moisture accumulation and redistribution.
The ultimate goal is to create self-regulating mountain landscapes where soil, forest, groundwater, springs, rivers and coastal ecosystems function as a single living organism, ensuring long-term ecological and water sustainability of the area.