Enhancing groundwater resource detection in Ahmednagar District through an integrated GIS framework utilizing AHP, SI, and FR models

ABSTRACT Groundwater resources affected by climate change exacerbate groundwater level declines in areas relying on erratic monsoons and finite surface water supplies. This research developed and compared an integrated geographic information system (GIS) with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the statistical index model (SI), and the frequency ratio model (FR). Multiple layers of the GIS framework have captured surface and subsurface characteristics, including rainfall, slope, elevation, land use/land cover, soil, geology, and geomorphology. 30% of the 69 wells in the study area are the testing dataset, and the remaining 70% make up the training dataset. Based on AHP, the results show that 35.34% of the region has low potential, 43.47% has moderate potential, and 21.09% has high potential. While SI modeling reveals 9.60, 57.36, and 24.79% for low, moderate, and high potential, respectively, FR analysis suggests 25.50% low potential, 52.74% moderate potential, and 21.60% high potential areas. The superior reliability of the SI model has been indicated by the validation of the GWPZ map using receiver operating characteristic area under the curve values. The results of this study are crucial for planning sustainable water supplies and managing groundwater resources in areas susceptible to climate change and groundwater depletion.