International Initiative for Coastal, Catchment, and Water Cycle Restoration
Project motto
From Mountains to the Sea — From Water to Life
(From the mountains to the sea - From water to life)
Concept
Atlantic & Mediterranean Coastal Water and Soil Resilience Initiative (AMCWSRI)— is an international program for the restoration of coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, based on the management of the entire hydrological cycle: from mountain watersheds to marine ecosystems.
The program combines nature-based solutions, modern engineering technologies, and digital management systems to increase the resilience of territories to climate change, desertification, soil degradation, coastal erosion, freshwater scarcity, and biodiversity loss.
Unlike traditional projects that focus on individual rivers, forests, or coastlines, AMCWSRI views the entire landscape as a single, interconnected system.
The main principle:
A resilient coast begins with restored mountain watersheds, and a resilient sea begins with healthy rivers and coastal ecosystems.
Strategic mission
To create a unified natural engineering system for managing water, soils and ecosystems that:
increases fresh water reserves;
reduces the impact of extreme climate events;
restores degraded lands;
protects the coasts;
promotes sustainable development of agriculture;
preserves biodiversity;
supports the economic development of coastal regions.
Geography of the program
The initiative focuses on areas connected to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Priority regions:
Morocco;
Western Sahara;
Portugal;
Spain;
France;
Italy;
Algeria;
Tunisia;
other countries of the Mediterranean basin;
island territories of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
The concept can be adapted to other mountainous coastal regions of the world.
Main challenges
The program answers the following problems:
climate change;
degradation of mountain watersheds;
disappearance of springs;
destructive erosion;
forest fires;
fresh water shortage;
desertification;
decrease in soil fertility;
there will be degradation;
destruction of deltas;
salinization of coastal lands;
Coastal erosion;
loss of marine biodiversity.
Spatial architecture of the program
AMCWSRI views the territory as a sequence of interconnected natural zones.
Mountain watersheds
Formation of atmospheric precipitation.
Snow accumulation.
Fog collection.
Upper and middle slopes
Water infiltration.
Formation of a forest "sponge".
Feeding of springs.
River valleys
Slowing down flows.
Groundwater recharge.
Development of agriculture.
Floodplains
Seasonal flooding.
Restoration of swamps.
Water purification.
Deltas and estuaries
Final filtration.
Protection against salinity.
Maintenance of aquifers.
Coastal zone
Dune restoration.
Lagoon.
Coastal forests.
Marine ecosystems
Sea meadows.
Reef communities.
Blue carbon.
Regional climate.
Seven strategic directions
1. Water Security
Water resources management.
2. Soil Restoration
Soil restoration.
3. Forest Landscape Restoration
Restoration of forests and ecological corridors.
4. Climate Adaptation
Adaptation to climate change.
5. Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture.
6. Coastal Protection
Coastal protection.
7. Marine Ecosystems
Restoration of marine ecosystems.
Scientific basis
The program combines:
hydrology;
hydrogeology;
geomorphology;
soil science;
forest ecology;
climatology;
marine ecology;
landscape architecture;
Nature-based Solutions;
digital modeling;
remote sensing of the Earth.
DREVO Technological Ecosystem
AMCWSRI uses a unified management platform.
DREVO Living Mountains
Comprehensive restoration of mountain watersheds.
DREVO Mountain Sponge
Accumulation of water in soil and rocks.
Mountain Springs Recovery
Restoration of springs.
Mountain Forest Corridors
Ecological and forest corridors.
DREVO Cloud & Mist System
Local humidity control.
Living Mountain Observatory
Monitoring network.
Mountain Digital Twin
Digital twin of the watershed.
TREVO AeroSense Drone
Remote mapping and environmental monitoring.
WOOD AI
Modeling of hydrological, climatic and ecological processes.
DREVO Smart Agriculture
Integration of the natural water cycle with agriculture.
International digital platform
Each territory receives:
digital environmental passport;
digital passport of the catchment area;
digital forest passport;
digital passport of springs;
digital soil passport;
digital passport of swamps;
digital passport of the coast.
All data is combined into a single information system, ensuring long-term monitoring and scientifically based management.
Economic directions
The program promotes the development of:
sustainable agriculture;
ecotourism;
forest plant nurseries;
production of planting material;
restoration of degraded lands;
nature conservation construction;
monitoring and digital services;
scientific research;
training of specialists.
Expected results
Comprehensive implementation of the program will allow:
increase fresh water supplies;
restore mountain watersheds;
stabilize the regime of springs and rivers;
reduce soil erosion;
reduce flood damage;
reduce the risk of forest fires;
restore floodplains, swamps and deltas;
protect coastal aquifers from salinization;
strengthen the coastline using natural methods;
restore coastal and marine ecosystems;
improve the sustainability of agriculture;
preserve biodiversity;
strengthen the adaptation of regions to climate change.
Program architecture
AMCWSRI
↓
DREVO Living Mountains
↓
Mountain catchments
↓
Rivers and agricultural landscapes
↓
Floodplains and swamps
↓
Deltas and estuaries
↓
Coastal areas
↓
Marine ecosystems
↓
A single natural water cycle
Mission of the program
Atlantic & Mediterranean Coastal Water and Soil Resilience Initiative (AMCWSRI)The program proposes a new model for natural resource management that considers mountains, forests, agricultural lands, rivers, floodplains, coasts, and the sea as a unified system. It integrates natural processes, modern technologies, and international cooperation to restore the full hydrological cycle and create resilient landscapes. Its ultimate goal is to create a network of interconnected watersheds capable of effectively storing, purifying, and redistributing water, preserving life and biodiversity from mountain peaks to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.