Scientific and ecological model DREVO
From restoration of individual elements to restoration of a living system
The DREVO ecological model is based on the idea that the sustainability of an area is determined not by individual objects—trees, water bodies, or soil—but by the system of relationships between them.
Soil cannot exist without microorganisms. Microorganisms depend on organic matter. Organic matter is produced by plants. Plants depend on water, soil structure, fungi, pollinators, and animals. Animals, in turn, support seed dispersal, regulate the population of organisms, and participate in the nutrient cycle.
Therefore, the object of restoration is not a separate component of nature, but the entire ecosystem.
The basic principle of the DREVO model:
What needs to be restored is not the elements of nature, but the connections between them.
1. Ecosystem as a single organism
Any territory is considered as a living multi-level system consisting of interconnected components.
Geological basis
The basis of any ecosystem is geological formation and relief.
They define:
mineral composition;
water permeability;
soil formation;
direction of surface runoff;
development of root systems;
type of future vegetation.
The geological base changes slowly, so errors in its destruction are the most difficult to correct.
Water
Water is the main limiting factor in most ecosystems.
It performs several functions simultaneously:
transport of substances;
temperature regulation;
development of soil life;
plant nutrition;
formation of microclimate;
support for biodiversity.
The main objective of the project is to increase the time water remains in the area.
Not maximum watering.
Not the maximum fee.
Namely, the time that water remains within the ecosystem.
Soil
Soil is considered as a living organism.
It includes:
mineral part;
organic matter;
bacteria;
mushrooms;
protozoa;
nematode;
earthworms;
insects;
root systems.
It is the interaction of these components that creates fertility.
Plants
Plants perform many functions simultaneously.
They:
create organic matter;
hold the soil;
regulate evaporation;
form a microclimate;
feed animals;
bind carbon;
provide habitats;
participate in the water cycle.
Therefore, each plant is assessed not only by its yield, but also by its ecological role.
Animals
Animals are considered an essential part of the ecosystem.
They:
spread seeds;
pollinate plants;
regulate the number of insects;
accelerate the organic cycle;
create microenvironments;
participate in natural selection.
Without animals, a complete forest system cannot be formed.
Human
In the scientific model DREVO, humans are also considered as elements of an ecosystem.
Its task is not to replace natural processes, but to:
restoration of broken connections;
acceleration of natural processes;
observation;
monitoring;
preventing degradation;
long-term management.
2. Six fundamental processes
Any sustainable ecosystem develops through several continuous processes.
Water cycle
Defines:
precipitation inflow;
infiltration;
moisture accumulation;
evaporation;
plant transpiration;
groundwater recharge.
Soil formation
Includes:
weathering of rock;
activity of microorganisms;
humus formation;
accumulation of organic matter;
development of structure;
increase in porosity.
Biological productivity
Defines education:
leaves;
wood;
roots;
fruits;
seeds;
mushrooms;
biomass.
The circulation of substances
All elements of the system repeatedly pass through:
soil → plant → animal → microorganisms → soil.
The maximum amount of organic matter should be returned back to the system.
Succession
The ecosystem develops gradually.
Pioneer plants are replaced by shrubs.
Shrubs create conditions for trees.
The young forest becomes mature.
A mature forest creates a forest garden.
Evolution of biodiversity
As recovery progresses, the following increases:
number of species;
genetic diversity;
number of ecological niches;
system stability.
3. Five levels of organization
Level 1. Single plant
Studied:
origin;
health;
productivity;
ecological function.
Level 2. Plant Guild
Several species work together.
For example:
tree
↓
bush
↓
ground cover
↓
mushrooms
↓
pollinators.
Level 3. Ecosystem
The following arise:
water cycle;
microclimate;
metabolism;
food web.
Level 4. Landscape
Related:
forests;
fields;
swamps;
reservoirs;
ravines;
forest-steppe.
It is at this level that natural resilience begins to work.
Level 5. Region
The following are being merged:
climate;
animal migration;
river basins;
genetic flows;
economic activity.
4. The principle of the ecological pyramid
In the DREVO model, all processes are built from the bottom up.
Geology.
Water.
Soil.
Microorganisms.
Mushrooms.
Herbs.
Shrubs.
Young trees.
Mature forest.
Lesotho.
Human.
It is impossible to effectively restore the upper levels by destroying the lower ones.
5. The Law of Mutual Support
Each component must perform several functions.
For example, a tree at the same time:
creates a shadow;
retains water;
strengthens the soil;
feeds animals;
binds carbon;
produces seeds;
forms wood;
supports mushrooms.
The more functions one element performs, the more stable the entire system.
6. The principle of ecological redundancy
In nature, important functions are never performed by only one species.
Dozens of plants can fix nitrogen.
Pollination is carried out by hundreds of insects.
Organic matter is processed by thousands of microorganisms.
Therefore, the project avoids dependency:
from one variety;
one tree;
one source of water;
one type of product.
Redundancy is not inefficiency, but a resilience mechanism.
7. Self-regulation
As an ecosystem develops, the need for external intervention decreases.
The need gradually decreases:
in irrigation;
application of fertilizers;
weed control;
use of pesticides;
constant tillage.
The ecosystem itself and its internal connections begin to do the work.
8. Digital twin of the ecosystem
Each territory is considered as a digital model.
It includes:
geological;
relief;
water;
soils;
plants;
animals;
microclimate;
history of changes;
monitoring results.
A digital twin allows us to better understand ongoing processes and predict the consequences of decisions rather than replace nature with a computer model.
9. Measuring sustainability
The main indicator is not the harvest of one season.
Measured:
organic matter content;
soil horizon depth;
water retention;
natural regeneration;
number of tree generations;
biodiversity;
number of pollinators;
condition of the mushroom network;
drought resistance;
disease resistance;
productivity without external interference.
10. Scientific principles of the DREVO model
The scientific and ecological model of the project is based on ten fundamental principles:
The ecosystem is more important than individual objects.
Water determines the stability of a territory.
Soil is a living system.
Biodiversity is the main mechanism of sustainability.
Succession is more effective than artificial acceleration.
Long-lived, nature-forming trees form the framework of the future.
Production must enhance natural processes.
Each decision is assessed over a multi-generational horizon.
Monitoring and data collection are part of ecosystem management.
The main result of the project is not the number of trees planted, but the ability of the territory to independently support life.
The final model of DREVO
The DREVO scientific-ecological model views a territory as a self-organizing living system in which geology, water, soil, microorganisms, fungi, plants, animals, and humans form a single network of interconnections.
Restoration begins with eliminating the causes of degradation, continues through the consistent restoration of natural processes, and culminates in the creation of a sustainable natural and economic ecosystem capable of independently maintaining fertility, biodiversity, water regime, and safe production.
The main scientific principle of DREVO:
The more interconnected an ecosystem is, the greater its resilience. Therefore, the human task is not to replace natural processes, but to help them recover and work together.