Proposal
DREVO

1. Proposal Summary

The proposal calls for the creation of a three-country DREVO platform to enhance water, climate, and ecosystem resilience in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. The program integrates the restoration of mountain watersheds and coastal zones, natural water retention, soil protection, fire risk reduction, river restoration, and digital territorial management.

Proposed architecture

2. General problem and opportunity

The three countries share a similar set of risks: increasing droughts and heatwaves, wildfires, soil degradation, erosion, declining rural resilience, and stressed water balances. The territory encompasses the Atlas, Pyrenees, Cantabrian, and Iberian ranges, the mountains of central and southern Portugal, major river basins, and extensive Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. This creates a natural basis for a joint demonstration program.

Translate fragmented projects into a portfolio of interconnected watersheds.

Combine natural solutions, engineering measures, robotics and continuous monitoring.

To create a replicable methodology for the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Attract mixed funding: public, European, climate, scientific and private.

3. Software components

3.1. Mountain water security

Restoration of springs and headwaters; infiltration bowls and pools; stone thresholds and small water-retaining elements; restoration of marshes and floodplains; protection of watersheds; controlled emergency water routes.

3.2. Forests, soils and biodiversity

Restoration of native mixed forests, oak, cedar, juniper and other regionally suitable communities; agroforestry; biochar and compost after testing; anti-erosion biomaterials; restoration of organic matter and habitats.

3.3. Fire resistance

Combustible material discontinuities, managed green corridors, water points, early detection, safe access and evacuation, and post-fire soil protection. DREVO BioFire HydroGel is considered a research product only after toxicological, corrosion, and field testing.

3.4 Rivers and floodplains

Restoration of channel morphology, spawning grounds, riparian vegetation, wetlands, and biofilters; localized removal of contaminants; placement of boulders and wood elements using a hydraulic model.

3.5. Rural Economy

Support for farmers and cooperatives, pasture management, horticulture, beekeeping, local processing, ecotourism, environmental services and youth employment.

3.6. Digital infrastructure

A digital passport for each site, DREVO AeroSense drone mapping, Mountain Digital Twin, water/soil/weather sensors, satellite data, a structure register, risk forecasting, and an open metrics system.

4. National proposals

4.1. Morocco - Moroccan Mountain Green Belt

National Water Security and Mountain Ecosystem Restoration Program, linked to the Moroccan Green Line for the Coast. Priorities include the Atlas and Rif watersheds, forest and spring restoration, erosion control measures, argan landscapes where ecologically appropriate, support for mountain communities, and connections to the coastal green corridor.

Pilots: upper catchments with severe erosion and water shortage.

Special contour: anti-mudflow and emergency water routes, restoration of sources.

Economic focus: cooperatives, agroforestry, processing and employment.

4.2. Spain — Spanish Mountain Water & Ecosystem Resilience Program

A program for the Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains, Central and Iberian Systems, Sierra Nevada, and the Betic Cordillera. Priorities: restoration of mixed forests and headwaters, fire risk reduction, water retention, sustainable pasture management, and coordination with autonomous communities.

Pilots: fire-vulnerable watersheds and areas with reduced snow supply.

Special contour: early warning, forest fire mosaic and water monitoring.

Economic focus: mountain farms, ecotourism and innovative natural services.

4.3. Portugal — Portuguese Mountain Water & Ecosystem Resilience Program

A program for mountain and hilly watersheds, including the Serra da Estrela, Gerês, Montesinho, Lausã, and Monchique. Priorities: fire resilience, soil and forest restoration, upper watershed management, small river protection, and rural support.

Pilots: post-fire and water-deficient landscapes.

Special contour: restoration after fires and reduction of rapid erosion after heavy rains.

Economic focus: forestry and rural cooperatives, biomass management, ecotourism.

5. DREVO technology platform

The design specifications for robotic platforms provided in the working materials should be considered preliminary ranges. The technical specifications are developed separately after an analysis of the hydrology, logistics, navigation safety, environmental constraints, and requirements of each country.

6. Implementation model

7. Management and partnership

Initiative Council: representatives from Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

National project offices and regional watershed teams.

Science and Technology Council: Hydrology, Forests, Fire, Soils, Biodiversity, Robotics and Data.

Independent environmental and social assessment.

Local watershed councils involving municipalities, farmers, landowners and community organisations.

Decisions on interventions are made at the level of individual watersheds. The international level establishes common protocols for data, outcome assessment, safety, and mutual recognition of trials.

8. Outcome indicators

Target values ​​are established only after a baseline assessment. For each indicator, a baseline, measurement method, frequency, responsible party, and independent verification criteria are specified.

9. Risks and safeguards

Hydrological risk: Any water retention structures are designed with safe overflow and cascade failure analysis.

Environmental risk: Native species and site-specific solutions are used; invasive plantings and universal formulations are excluded.

Fire risk: Green corridors do not create a continuous fuel belt; wind, terrain, evacuation, and access are considered.

Technological risk: Autonomous systems operate with geofencing, emergency stops, and human control.

Chemical Risk: BioFire and soil amendments are not used outside of controlled testing and approval procedures.

Social risk: early participation of land users, data transparency and complaints mechanism.

10. Suggested first step

Designate national contact organizations.

Agree on criteria for selecting pilot territories.

Prepare a unified protocol for digital passport and monitoring.

Create a preliminary budget and a map of funding sources.

Conduct a technical mission and public consultations.

Within six months, submit three technical and economic concepts and a general investment package.

Appendix. Suggested Working Titles

Work motto

Mountains That Sustain Life — Mountains that preserve water, nature and the future.

PART II. EXPANDED TECHNICAL CORPS

This section integrates and editorially adapts articles from three DREVO ChatGPT working discussions. The materials are aligned with the proposals for Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. They are not final design documentation: parameters are being refined based on surveys, modeling, testing, and national permitting procedures.

11. Mountain green belt

National Initiative for Water Security and Mountain Ecosystem Restoration

The Mountain Greenbelt is not viewed as a continuous line of plantings, but as a spatial network of watersheds, forests, pastures, agricultural plots, springs, rivers, and settlements. Its purpose is to restore the mountains' ability to retain precipitation, slow destructive runoff, maintain baseflows, and protect settlements from drought, erosion, fires, and floods.

11.1 Hydrological logic

Mountainous terrain acts as a natural reservoir. Precipitation is intercepted by tree canopies, litter, and microrelief, permeating the soil and fissured rocks, and then gradually feeding springs and rivers. As the vegetation degrades, water drains more quickly across the surface, carrying away soil and creating short, dangerous peaks in flow. Therefore, the primary indicator of success is not the volume of structures built, but rather the change in behavior of the entire watershed.

Increase in the time it takes for water to pass from the crest to the riverbed.

Increased infiltration without dangerous over-wetting of landslide slopes.

Stabilization of upper streams and springs during the dry period.

Reduction of peak surface runoff and sediment removal.

Maintaining ecological water consumption and quality.

11.2. Spatial zones

11.3. Natural and engineering solutions

The choice of measures begins with diagnostics, not a technology catalog. On a stable slope, dispersed infiltration elements can be used; on a landslide, priority is given to safe diversion, monitoring, and load limitation. Small dams and rock sills are only permissible after assessing channel dynamics, fish passage, sediment load, and failure scenarios.

Restoration of forest litter, shrub and grass layers.

Planting of native species taking into account exposure, altitude and future climate.

Contour ramparts, micro-terraces and stone lines where they do not create new risks.

Restoration of wetlands, floodplain connections and natural meandering of riverbeds.

Protecting spring areas from compaction, pollution and uncontrolled extraction.

A mandatory safety overflow device for each storage element.

11.4. National adaptation

In Morocco, the program focuses on water retention, spring restoration, erosion control, and support for mountain cooperatives. In Spain, the emphasis is on large autonomous communities, fire risk reduction, and snowmelt modification. In Portugal, priorities include post-fire restoration, biomass management, and the protection of small watersheds from alternating droughts and intense rainfall.

12. Digital passport of the upper zone

Unified system for recording the ridge, summit and upper catchment area

A digital passport is a continuously updated engineering and environmental model of a specific area. It combines maps, measurements, photographs, event history, structures, risks, maintenance, and responsibilities. The passport should answer not only the question "what is on the site" but also show how the site behaves during heavy rain, drought, fire, snowmelt, or infrastructure failure.

12.1 Basic information

Unique site code, coordinates, area, altitude range and administrative affiliation.

Ownership, land use, restrictions, conservation status and responsible organizations.

Digital elevation model, slopes, aspects, surface curvature and micro-catchments.

Geology, soil types, thickness of the loose layer, signs of landslides and erosion.

Vegetation, fuel structure, invasive species and habitat condition.

12.2. Water module

The water module describes the complete water path. It identifies precipitation interception zones, infiltration areas, seasonal and permanent streams, springs, reservoirs, roads and ditches, runoff concentration points, emergency overflows, and safe water intake zones.

12.3. Fire and biological modules

The fire module contains a map of fuel types, vertical and horizontal continuity, access, water points, safe zones, and potential spark transport. The biological module records key habitats, seasonal restrictions, breeding sites, and indicator species. These layers are analyzed together: fire prevention measures should not destroy valuable habitat or create an erosion corridor.

12.4 History and Version Control

Each measurement is assigned a date, method, units, author, and quality rating.

Images and models are stored in versions; changes in terrain and vegetation are calculated relative to the baseline.

Each structure has a passport, project, acceptance certificate, maintenance regulations and a defect log.

Decisions and assumptions are saved with the map so that the new operator understands their origin.

Public data is separated from sensitive information about critical infrastructure and rare species.

13. Summit monitoring system

Integrated Ridge and Headwater Catchment Observation Network

Summit monitoring monitors the entire "atmosphere-surface-soil-slope-stream-lower basin" chain. Its goal is not to accumulate the maximum number of sensors, but to early identify combinations that could lead to fire, landslide, destructive runoff, or failure of the water retention system.

13.1 Measuring circuits

13.2. Communication and Power Architecture

Stations must store data locally if communication is lost and transmit it once the link is restored. Primary telemetry can use cellular communications, LoRaWAN, or radio relay nodes; a satellite link is feasible for remote critical points. Power is provided by solar modules, LiFePO₄ batteries, and is calculated for the worst season, not the average annual insolation.

13.3. Threshold Events

A warning is generated when one parameter approaches a threshold.

An alarm is generated by a combination of factors: heavy rain plus saturated soil; strong winds plus low fuel moisture; a full upper basin plus a blocked overflow.

The system automatically creates a task for the operator, attaches a map, readings, and a recommended inspection route.

After the event, post-analysis is performed: the actual response is compared with the forecast, thresholds and models are updated.

13.4. Reliability

Critical decisions should not rely on a single sensor. Cross-checks, redundancy of key measurements, realism checks, and manual confirmation of dangerous control actions are used. Zero data transmission is not interpreted as the absence of risk: it is considered a possible communication or power failure.

14. Slope scanning with the DREVO AeroSense Drone

Aerial diagnostics of terrain, water, vegetation and risks

The AeroSense Drone creates a measurable digital model of the area. Repeated flights allow for comparison of slopes, riverbeds, roads, vegetation, and restoration sites over time. The drone complements, but does not replace, ground surveys: the results must include control points, documented accuracy, and limitations of use.

14.1. Payloads

High-resolution RGB camera for orthophotomaps and 3D photogrammetry.

LiDAR for relief under sparse vegetation and precise microtopography analysis.

Multispectral camera for vegetation indices and stress detection.

Thermal imaging camera for detecting overheating, smoldering, water leaks and temperature anomalies.

Gas or aerosol sensors only in specialized missions with calibration.

14.2. Flight program

Determine the target, required resolution and acceptable weather conditions.

Check air restrictions, protected areas, privacy, and seasonal animal restrictions.

Place and measure ground control points or use a proven RTK/PPK scheme.

Perform a flight with sufficient longitudinal and lateral overlap.

Conduct quality control, create an orthophoto, point cloud and surface model.

Compare data with the previous era and highlight changes above the significance threshold.

Transfer verified results to a digital passport and create field assignments.

14.3. Analytical Products

15. Emergency water routes

Safe flow passage during overflow and failure

An emergency water path is a predetermined route for excess runoff when the normal infiltration, storage, and distribution elements are full, damaged, or blocked. Water will still find its way downstream; the goal of the design is to make this path predictable and safe.

15.1 Reasons for inclusion

Heavy rain above the estimated event or rain on snow.

Saturated or frozen soil.

The pipe is clogged with branches, sediment, ice or debris.

Destruction of a terrace, road, small dam or retaining structure.

Landslide, mudflow, windfall or sequential failure of several elements.

Transfer of water through a saddle to a neighboring catchment area.

15.2. Sequence of protection

Interception of precipitation by vegetation and microrelief.

Infiltration in safe areas.

Distributed retention and temporary accumulation.

Standard adjustable elbow.

Backup branch.

Emergency overflow.

Energy dissipation and safe water intake zone.

15.3. Design requirements

The route is checked continuously from the upper structure to the stable receiving point. Calculations cannot be limited to a single spillway: the flow may cross a road, a house, a power line, a landslide slope, or another reservoir. The analysis includes hydraulics, erosion, sediment transport, maintenance access, and cascading failure scenarios.

Smooth entry without dangerous flow concentration.

Sufficient width and roughness to reduce speed.

Protection of bends and outlets from erosion.

The absence of obstacles that could create a sudden breakthrough.

Safe crossings of roads and paths.

Control after each significant event and before the rainy season.

15.4. Operation

Each emergency route receives a code, map, photographs, estimated flow range, a list of critical points, and a designated person. Inspection is carried out according to a checklist. Any blockages, unauthorized construction, or terrain changes are immediately reflected in the digital data sheet and assigned as a repair task.

16. Fire resistance of ridges and catchments

Engineering system for prevention, localization and restoration

Fire resilience refers to an area's ability to reduce the likelihood of ignition, limit fire spread, maintain access and evacuation, ensure early detection, and prevent catastrophic post-fire erosion. This isn't achieved by completely removing vegetation: exposed soil loses its protection and can form destructive runoff after the first rainstorm.

16.1. Fire behavior

On a slope, the fire front accelerates due to preheating of fuel higher up the slope. Wind enhances convection, tilts the flame, and carries burning particles through fire breaks. The vertical fuel ladder—from grass to shrubs and low branches—facilitates the transition from a ground fire to a crown fire. Therefore, the project analyzes not only the biomass volume but also its moisture content, height, distribution, and connectivity between layers.

16.2. Landscape architecture

Mosaic of areas with different fuel structure and moisture content.

Crown breaks and ladder fuel removal near critical infrastructure.

Maintaining a living soil cover and erosion control.

Green fire corridors made only of suitable species and without continuous flammable mass.

Water points, turning areas, marked access routes and safe zones.

Taking spark transfer into account: a single mineralized strip does not guarantee fire suppression.

16.3. Early detection and response

16.4. Post-fire hydrology

After a severe fire, the water-repellent layer, loss of litter, and a decrease in roughness can dramatically increase runoff. Initial measures are aimed at protecting people and water intakes, stabilizing critical slopes, ensuring safe water flow, and retaining sediment where it does not pose a risk of overflow. Mass planting without moisture and soil analysis is often ineffective; restoration is planned based on severity and natural regeneration zones.

17. DREVO Cloud & Mist System

Local air humidification and enhancement of natural condensation

The system of finely dispersed water sprays on ridges and upper slopes is being considered as an experiment in creating localized fog, cooling, and moistening vegetation. It should not be advertised as a technology for creating regional rain clouds: a stable cloud requires favorable atmospheric conditions, updrafts, and proximity to the dew point.

17.1 Potential Applications

Cooling small nurseries and demonstration plantings during extreme heat.

Increasing humidity near mist eliminators under favorable conditions.

Dust suppression in confined work areas.

Support of fire-resistant wet zones with a guaranteed water supply.

Study of the microclimate on the ridge and the interaction of aerosol with wind.

17.2. Limitations and stopping criteria

In dry and windy conditions, a significant portion of the water will evaporate or be carried away. The system can increase energy and water costs without measurable results. Therefore, the operator should compare spraying with passive mist eliminators, shading, mulching, and spot irrigation.

Do not use drinking water without proven water balance.

Do not spray if there is a risk of icing, reduced visibility or drifting onto roads.

Monitor water quality, aerosol safety and biofilm formation.

Stop the pilot if moisture return to the soil and vegetation does not exceed a reasonable threshold of effectiveness.

17.3. Pilot design

Select a small control plot and a similar reference plot.

Measure water flow, energy, wind, humidity, surface temperature and soil moisture.

Divide modes by droplet size and time of day.

Assess aerosol drift, impact on plants and infrastructure.

Make a decision to continue only after a full seasonal cycle.

18. WOOD BioFire HydroGel

Research concept of biodegradable water-retaining agent

BioFire HydroGel is designed to provide localized cooling, retain water on vegetation, and reduce reignition. On an exposed slope, oxygen displacement alone cannot be relied upon; wind will quickly restore its concentration. The effective effect should combine cooling, wetting, temporary fuel isolation, and, where permitted, suppression of chemical flame reactions.

18.1 Functional Requirements

High water retention at a viscosity suitable for pumps and nozzles.

Adhesion to grass, pine needles and wood without a durable polymer film.

Predictable biodegradation without microplastics and toxic by-products.

Low toxicity to soil organisms, aquatic ecosystems, plants and operators.

Compatibility with equipment, no dangerous corrosion and stability during storage.

Visibility of application without permanent staining of the natural environment.

18.2. Test program

18.3. Limitation of application

19. DREVO River Rover Family

Robotic platforms for river diagnostics and restoration

River Rover is a modular family of autonomous and remotely operated platforms for work on streams, rivers, floodplains, swamps, lakes, and coastal areas. Its primary value lies not in replacing all existing machines, but in precisely performing small and medium-sized operations where heavy equipment would create excessive impact or is inaccessible.

19.1. Functional line

19.2. River Rover Restore Mini

The mini-platform is built on the principle of a stable kayak or shallow-draft canoe. A single small crew must be able to transport it to a remote stream. The working module installs sensors, spreads gravel, transports plants, and secures biomats and small wooden elements. The design ranges from the chat—length 2.8–3.6 m, width 0.75–0.95 m, weight 40–90 kg, and payload 80–150 kg—are hypothetical and require calculations for stability, transportability, and safety.

19.3. River Rover Restore M

The medium-sized catamaran platform is designed for most restoration work on small and medium-sized rivers: precise placement of rocks and timber, formation of micro-cascades, restoration of spawning grounds, banks, marshes, and biological filters. Preliminary discussions included a length of 4.2–5.2 m, a payload of 800–1,500 kg, and a manipulator with a reach of 3–4 m. These parameters must be verified by calculating stability, strength, dynamic loads, and available transport classes.

19.4. River Rover Restore L

The heavy-duty version is being considered for large rivers, lakes, reservoirs, floodplains, and deltas. It can accommodate large boulders, wooden structures, floating biotopes, and observation infrastructure elements. The discussed ranges of 8–12 meters in length and 5–10 tons of payload should not be included in procurement documents without a naval architecture, classification, assessment of wave conditions, currents, crane reach, and emergency conditions.

19.5. Tools and Operations

Stone grab, universal grapple and gravel spreader.

Planting module, hydroseeding, application of mycorrhiza and compost according to approved technology.

Biomat and coconut roller module for coastal bioengineering.

Installation of sensors, floating islands and small ecological structures.

Sonar, cameras, LiDAR and water quality sensors to monitor results.

19.6. Safety and autonomy

Autonomy is limited by geofences, permitted speeds, manipulator operating zones, and rules regarding encounters with people, animals, and vessels. The platform must stop safely in the event of loss of communication, low battery, excessive list, manipulator overload, or inconsistency with navigation sources. Any automatic placement of material is confirmed by a digital task and monitored after completion.

19.7. Duty cycle

Scout surveys the area and generates a point cloud, bathymetry, and an environmental map.

DREVO AI and an engineer create a restoration project and a machine task.

Clean removes anthropogenic pollution if necessary.

Cargo delivers materials so that Restore doesn't waste resources on transport.

Restore Mini, S, M or L performs installation within its category.

Service installs sensors and maintains objects.

Living Observatory and Digital Twin assess the river's response and make adjustments.

20. Integrated Pilot Catchment Methodology

From site selection to long-term operation

Each national pilot project must be large enough to demonstrate the interconnectedness of mountain, river, and social systems, yet compact enough to allow for controlled measurement of the results. A common methodology will allow for comparison between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal without imposing identical engineering solutions.

20.1. Selection Criteria

High public importance of water or fire risk.

The presence of a measurable headwater catchment and a clear connection to settlement, agriculture or a protected area.

Readiness of local authorities, land users and scientific partners.

Possibility to create a baseline and control areas.

The absence of critical legal conflicts that make the pilot unfeasible.

Potential for scaling in other regions of the country.

20.2. Pre-design package

Collect existing data, rights and restrictions.

Conduct AeroSense survey, field hydrology, soil and environmental survey.

Create a digital passport and a model of the initial state.

Perform an analysis of alternatives, including a no-intervention option.

Assess cumulative and transboundary impacts.

Agree on monitoring, maintenance, emergency response and life cycle budget.

Conduct consultations and obtain permits.

20.3. Adaptation Management

The pilot is being implemented in cycles. After each season, indicators are compared with the baseline, and measures are adjusted. Elements that are ineffective or create new risks are dismantled or rebuilt. Success is assessed by the behavior of water, soil, vegetation, and society, not by the number of trees planted, sensors installed, or facilities constructed.

21. Investment framework and expected effect

Transition from concept to funded program

It is recommended to structure funding as a portfolio: preparation and data, environmental measures, engineering safety, local economy, digital operation, and research. This allows for the separation of mature solutions from experimental modules, avoiding the entire project being dependent on a single technology.

21.1. Investment windows

21.2. Life Cycle Economics

The budget should include not only construction but also 10–20 years of monitoring, maintenance, repairs, and data updates. For each facility, the cost per unit of expected output, the uncertainty range, and the cost of failure are calculated. Local service teams and cooperatives can reduce operating costs while simultaneously creating sustainable employment.

21.3. Expected effects

More stable baseflow and smaller extreme peaks where hydrologically achievable.

Reduced erosion, sedimentation and cleaning costs of water infrastructure.

Increasing the resilience of forest and agricultural landscapes to heat and fire.

Improving the habitat condition and connectivity of river and mountain ecosystems.

New jobs in monitoring, nurseries, natural engineering and maintenance.

A unified evidence base for program expansion and funding.

Conclusion

The expanded version presents DREVO as a program for managing entire watersheds, rather than a collection of individual plantings or devices. Its strength lies in the integration of natural processes, engineering safety, digital surveillance, and local economies. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal could become the first interconnected demonstration arc between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where uniform standards of evidence are combined with national adaptation of solutions.

Source of the extension: editorially adapted materials from the DREVO ChatGPT working chats "DREVO Morning Brief" and two "Mountain Ecosystem Restoration" threads. Technical values ​​from the discussions are designated as preliminary and do not replace surveys, tests, or design calculations.