International Initiative for the Restoration of Mountain Ecosystems and the Natural Water Cycle
Concept
DREVO Living Mountains— is a comprehensive international mountain landscape restoration program based on the principle of managing the entire natural water cycle—from watersheds and mountain peaks to rivers, coasts, and the ocean.
Unlike traditional projects that focus on solving isolated problems (erosion, wildfires, forest degradation, or water scarcity), DREVO Living Mountains views the mountain watershed as a single living system in which water, soil, forests, springs, agriculture, biodiversity, and climate are interconnected.
The main goal of the project isrestore the mountains' ability to independently regulate water, climate, and biodiversity, ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems for many generations.
The main principle:
Water is the main architect of the mountain ecosystem, and the forest is its main regulator.
Project vision
Mountains are the Earth's natural "water towers." It is here that rivers originate, groundwater is replenished, forest ecosystems are born, and water begins its journey to the ocean.
If the upper parts of watersheds are degraded, the consequences extend thousands of kilometers downstream:
springs disappear;
floods are becoming more frequent;
erosion increases;
soil fertility decreases;
water supply is deteriorating;
the risk of fires increases;
floodplains and coasts are degrading.
Therefore, restoration must begin in the mountains.
Strategic goals
The program is aimed at:
restoration of the natural water cycle;
increase in fresh water reserves;
restoration of springs;
reduction of surface runoff;
erosion control;
forest restoration;
increasing soil fertility;
development of sustainable agriculture;
restoration of biodiversity;
adaptation to climate change;
reducing the risk of natural disasters.
Nine Cascades of Recovery
The project is based on a sequential water management system.
1. Ridges and peaks
Reception of atmospheric precipitation.
Fog collection.
Snow retention.
Watershed protection.
2. Upper slopes
Maximum infiltration.
Erosion prevention.
Creating a systemMountain Sponge.
3. Middle slopes
Formation of mature forests.
Accumulation of moisture.
Development of forest soil.
4. Ravines and streams
Slowing down flows.
Sediment retention.
Restoration of riverbeds.
5. Foothills
Infiltration basins.
Groundwater recharge.
Integration with agriculture.
6. Floodplains
Controlled seasonal flooding.
Restoration of swamps.
Water purification.
7. River mouths
Final filtration.
Recharge of coastal aquifers.
Protection against salinity.
8. Coastal zone
Dune restoration.
Lagoon.
Coastal forests.
9. Open sea
Evaporation.
Cloud formation.
The beginning of a new hydrological cycle.
Key areas of the project
DREVO Mountain Sponge
Creation of a natural "sponge" that retains water in mountain soils and forests.
Mountain Springs Recovery
Restoration of springs and underground water supply.
Mountain Forest Corridors
Formation of a continuous network of forest and natural corridors.
DREVO Cloud & Mist System
Local control of humidity, fog and microclimate.
Living Mountain Observatory
Intelligent network of sensors and monitoring.
Mountain Digital Twin
Digital twin of a mountain catchment area.
TREVO AeroSense Drone
Remote mapping and environmental monitoring.
WOOD AI
Modeling of hydrological, climatic and ecological processes.
DREVO Smart Agriculture
Integrating watershed restoration with sustainable agriculture and agroforestry.
AMCWSRI
Linking mountain catchments to Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal restoration programmes.
Scientific basis
The project combines the achievements of:
hydrology;
hydrogeology;
forest ecology;
soil science;
geomorphology;
climatology;
landscape architecture;
Nature-based Solutions;
remote sensing of the Earth;
digital modeling;
artificial intelligence.
Technological platform
The project is based on a unified digital ecosystem.
It includes:
smart sensor network;
autonomous weather stations;
hydrological stations;
unmanned aerial vehicles;
ground robots;
satellite monitoring;
digital twin of the territory;
artificial intelligence analytical platform.
All components operate as a single watershed management system.
Scale of implementation
The project provides for several levels of application.
Local level
separate spring;
ravine;
slope;
small catchment area.
Regional level
mountain range;
river basin;
National Park.
National level
state mountain restoration programs.
International level
transboundary watersheds;
international environmental initiatives;
climate change adaptation programs.
Socio-economic significance
The implementation of the project contributes to:
improving water security;
sustainable development of agriculture;
restoration of forest resources;
development of ecotourism;
creation of new jobs;
strengthening local communities;
reducing damage from natural disasters;
preservation of cultural and natural landscapes.
Expected results
The comprehensive implementation of DREVO Living Mountains allows:
increase the accumulation of fresh water;
restore springs and permanent river flow;
reduce soil erosion;
reduce destructive floods;
increase drought resistance;
reduce the risk of forest fires;
restore forest ecosystems;
increase biodiversity;
improve the condition of agricultural land;
protect coastlines and marine ecosystems;
increase the long-term resilience of natural and socio-economic systems.
Architecture of the DREVO Living Mountains ecosystem
The project is built as a single interconnected system.
DREVO Living Mountains
↓
Mountain Sponge- soil water management
↓
Mountain Springs Recovery— restoration of groundwater and springs
↓
Mountain Forest Corridors— formation of a forest ecosystem
↓
Cloud & Mist System- atmospheric moisture management
↓
Living Mountain Observatory- continuous monitoring
↓
Mountain Digital Twin— digital model of the territory
↓
TREVO AeroSense Drone- remote mapping
↓
WOOD AI- forecasting and decision support
↓
DREVO Smart Agriculture— integration with agricultural landscapes
↓
AMCWSRI— the unification of mountain, river, coastal and marine ecosystems into a single international water resources management system.
Project mission
DREVO Living Mountainsproposes a new model for nature restoration, in which the object of management is not an individual forest, river, or spring, but the entire mountain watershed as a single living system. The project integrates natural processes and modern technologies—from soil and forest to artificial intelligence and digital twins—to restore landscapes' ability to independently store water, maintain biodiversity, and adapt to climate change. Its ultimate goal is to create resilient ecosystems where every drop of water makes its way from mountaintop to ocean, sustaining life throughout this cycle.