MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT OF GROUND WATER RECHARGE POTENTIAL USING GIS, MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS AND HYDROLOGICAL MODELLING

Abstract

This research develops an integrated methodology to evaluate groundwater recharge potential in arid and semi-arid ecosystems by combining remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis. Five geographic regions (Kenya, India, Botswana, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia) were analyzed through comparative assessment, identifying variability in very high recharge zones ranging between 0.07% and 14%. The methodology applies high-resolution satellite image processing, geospatial modeling and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to characterize subsurface water systems comprehensively. The results demonstrate methodological precision between 60.53% and 87.9%, with Areas Under the Curve (AUC) ranging from 0.604 to 0.879, indicating robust model performance across different hydrogeological contexts. The precipitation regimes analyzed vary from 73.8 to 1500mm annually, confirming that recharge potential depends on complex interactions between geomorphological, climatic and structural factors. Statistical validation through ROC curve analysis and empirical well data verification supports the reliability of the integrated approach. The study establishes the need for adaptive methodologies that recognize the dynamic nature of groundwater recharge systems, contributing to sustainable water resource management strategies in water-scarce regions.