Immersive VR Geovisualization for Landscape Restoration: From Meshes to Meaning

Abstract. Landscape restoration in semi-arid environments demands not only effective interventions but also communicative approaches that make complexity legible and foster ecological literacy. Immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) transform geospatial data into navigable environments, making processes tangible and transferable experiences. This study translates a remote restoration site in the Murcia region of Spain, characterized by limited accessibility and harsh conditions, into an immersive Virtual Reality geovisualization. A UAV structure-from-motion survey produced a high-resolution textured model that was geospatially situated with BlenderGIS (ESRI imagery over a 30 m digital elevation model) and then reconstructed in Twinmotion under a calibrated HDRI skydome. The scene is engineered for room-scale use with teleport-only locomotion and a uniform down-scale that enables hand-scale inspection of swales, ponds, ground cover, tree rows, and micro-topography. Three access points organize short narrated sequences that guide users from landscape overview to near-field readings, converting mesh into meaning. A pilot on Meta Quest 3 yielded encouraging signals: high presence and perceived realism, low discomfort, positive self-reported competence, and intent to re-engage. The pilot also surfaced technical priorities, including tighter blending between the VR layers, and bias-aware context. The contribution is a reproducible workflow that combines geospatial context and proxemic design to support spatial reasoning, knowledge transfer, and public communication. Strategically, the module offers a path toward a participatory, education-ready XR tool for regenerative practice, and a future platform for stakeholders, to support cognitive spatial reasoning and field-digital decision-making.