Geospatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation Using AHP–GIS to Delineate Groundwater Potential Zones in Zakho Basin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

Groundwater availability in the Zakho Basin faces significant challenges due to political issues, border stream control, climate change, urbanization, land use changes, and poor administration, leading to declining groundwater quantity and quality. To address these issues, this study utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and geospatial techniques to identify potential groundwater sites in Zakho. The study assigned weights normalized through the AHP eigenvector and created a final index using the weighted overlay method and specific criteria such as slope, flow accumulation, drainage density, lineament density, geology, well data, rainfall, and soil type. Validation through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC = 0.849) and coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.81) demonstrated the model’s accuracy. The results showed that 17% of the area had the highest potential as a reliable groundwater source, 46% represented high-to-moderate potential zones, and 37% had low potential. Flat areas between rivers and high mountains displayed the greatest potential for groundwater development. Identifying these potential sites can aid farmers, regional planners, and local governments in making precise decisions about installing hand pumps and tube wells for a regular water supply. Additionally, the findings contribute to the development of a sustainable groundwater management plan, focusing on improving water usage and protecting water-related ecosystems in the region. Identification of the optimum influencing factors, arrangement of the factors in a hierarchy, and creation of a GWPI map will allow further planning for groundwater preservation and sustainability. This project can be conducted in other areas facing droughts.

Comparative Assessment of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Overlay Analysis (FOA) Models in Groundwater Potential Zone Mapping Using Sensitive Analysis: A GIS-RS Integrated Approach

“…Integrated with GIS, weighted criteria are then utilized to generate groundwater potential maps, offering insights crucial for effective land use planning, water resource management, and environmental conservation efforts (Moharir et al, 2023). By systematically assessing in uencing factors, the AHP method enhances our understanding of groundwater dynamics, enabling informed decisionmaking in diverse landscapes (Sulaiman and Mustafa, 2023). In recent years, the Fuzzy Integrated Geospatial Technique has emerged as a valuable tool in addressing various global challenges, including the identi cation of ood-prone areas, assessment of drinking water quality, analysis of sedimentation and soil erosion, prediction of air pollution, landslide hazard studies, and more (Aloui et al, 2024).…”

Soybean (Glycine max) Cropland Suitability Analysis in Subtropical Desert Climate through GIS-Based Multicriteria Analysis and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imaging

“…In AHP-based cropland suitability analysis, ROC-AUC assesses the AHP model's performance in categorizing suitable zones based on provided weights and variables [33]. It involves ROC curve calculation by adjusting classification thresholds for potential zones and determining the AUC to differentiate high and low potential zones [34].…”

GIS-MCE based suitability analysis for sustainable estate development in Ede North LGA Osun State, Nigeria

“…Consequently, the backdrop of the uncontrolled urbanization trend in emerging cities in Nigeria and its effect on catalyzing societal problems such as pollution, global warming, waste generation and social inequality among citizens has necessitated a suitability approach to be incorporated into housing policies and programs in decision making. Lastly, in order to locate optimum locations to cite these developments, geospatial technologies, with the MCE approach, offer support for planning due to their ability to combine various geographical datasets and apply algorithms for improved results over larger areas while saving costs [7][8][9][10].…”