Integrating agroforestry with the third and fourth cascades of DREVO Living Mountains

The third and fourth cascades represent the transition from nature restoration to sustainable production. While the first two cascades create water and protect the soil, this cascade begins its efficient use to create highly productive agroforestry systems.

The main principle:

Production should enhance the natural ecosystem, not destroy it.

Third Cascade - Middle Slopes

Main function

Formation of productive forest ecosystems and long-term water storage.

This is the most important area of the project.

It is here that the main reserve of organic matter is formed, mature forests develop, and the maximum water-holding capacity of the catchment area is created.

At the same time, it is becoming a major agroforestry area.

Main directions

Multi-tiered food forests

Forest systems are created that resemble natural forests but contain a large number of economically valuable plants.

Upper tier

Tall trees:

oak;

ash tree;

linden;

maple;

cedar pines;

chestnut;

walnut.

Second tier

Fruit trees:

apple;

pear;

merry;

plum;

apricot;

peach;

persimmon;

figs;

pomegranate;

carob;

olive (in Mediterranean regions).

Third tier

Shrubs:

hazelnut;

they have become sea buckthorn;

currant;

raspberry;

blackberry;

red;

elderberry.

Fourth tier

Perennial crops:

rhubarb;

asparagus;

medicinal plants;

herbs;

forage plants.

Soil layer

Developing:

mosses;

mushrooms;

mycorrhiza;

earthworms;

microorganisms.

Walnut forests

Particular attention is paid to long-cycle crops.

Used:

walnut;

chestnut;

hazelnut;

almond;

pecans (in suitable climates);

cedar pines.

Nut systems can maintain high productivity for decades with minimal tillage.

Forest beekeeping

Created:

honey forest corridors;

robotic apiaries DREVO Bee;

natural pollination zones;

continuous flowering calendar.

Mushroom growing

Used:

mycorrhizal fungi;

truffles (under appropriate conditions);

shiitake;

a flower;

local edible forest mushrooms.

This allows for additional production without damaging the forest structure.

Medicinal plants

Specialized areas are being developed:

ginseng (under suitable conditions);

valerian;

St. John's wort;

echinacea;

sage;

thyme;

mint;

other local species.

Forest pastures

Systems are being createdSilvopasture.

Used:

sheep;

cattle;

horses;

bird.

Grazing density is calculated based on the rate of grass regeneration, soil conditions and the preservation of natural regeneration of woody vegetation.

Collection of wild-growing products

We get:

berries;

walnuts;

mushrooms;

medicinal plants;

seeds;

essential oil raw materials.

The Fourth Cascade - Ravines and Streams

Main function

Slowing down water flows and creating the most productive biological corridors.

It is along the streams that the most fertile areas of the entire project are created.

Buffer forest strips

Protective zones are created on both sides of each watercourse.

Landing:

willows;

alder;

elm;

poplar (local species);

ash tree;

viburnum;

buckthorn;

дёрен;

bird cherry.

These stripes:

filter surface runoff;

strengthen the banks;

protect water from overheating;

create a habitat for animals.

Water conservation agroforestry

Outside the protective zone are located:

fruit trees;

berry bushes;

nut crops;

medicinal plants;

forage crops.

Soil cultivation is carried out without disturbing the natural water flow regime.

Haystack

In floodplain extensions the following are created:

natural hayfields;

forage fields;

rotational pastures.

Fish farming

On the widening of streams and small ponds the following can be created:

natural spawning grounds;

small ponds;

systems for growing local fish species.

All structures must maintain the free migration of aquatic organisms and natural hydrology.

Beaver zones

Where ecologically justified, conditions for beaver activity are maintained or restored.

Their dams:

slow down the water;

increase infiltration;

create swampy areas;

increase biodiversity.

Biological filters

Used:

cane;

rug;

sedges;

irises;

local marsh plants.

They purify the water before it enters the lower cascades.

Beekeeping

Streams become natural honey corridors.

Landing:

willows;

linden trees;

maples;

fruit trees;

local honey-bearing shrubs.

Robotic maintenance

Used:

DREVO Mountain Rover;

WOOD Bee Rover;

TREE AeroSense Drone.

They control:

condition of forest belts;

erosion;

water quality;

plant growth;

condition of hydraulic structures.

Economic model

The third and fourth cascades become the largest production zones of the project.

Sources of income:

walnuts;

fruits;

berries;

honey;

mushrooms;

medicinal plants;

selective logging timber;

seed material;

hay;

livestock products;

ecotourism;

processing of agricultural products.

Ecological functions

In addition to production, the third and fourth cascades:

retain the bulk of water in the catchment area;

form mature forests;

create the largest reserves of organic matter;

protect stream beds;

provide constant nutrition to springs and rivers;

support maximum biodiversity;

create a stable microclimate;

reduce the risk of forest fires.

The role of the third and fourth cascades

If the first two cascades are a “water factory”, then the third and fourth become"biological factory"Project. This is where the bulk of biomass, organic matter, and agricultural production is generated. The combination of multi-layered forests, agroforestry, buffer forest belts, and natural water protection zones creates a landscape in which high economic productivity is combined with soil restoration, water conservation, and biodiversity conservation.