Integrated GIS-based approach for groundwater potential mapping in arid regions: A case study of Kenadsa-Bechar using AHP and frequency ratio methods

Groundwater potential studies are vital for sustainable water resource management in arid regions facing severe water scarcity such as the Kenadsa-Bechar area in northwestern Bechar province, Algeria. This study integrates the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Frequency Ratio FR methods integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) and support agricultural resilience in a region with limited winter precipitation and heavy agricultural reliance Using diverse data sources digital elevation model DEM Landsat 8 imagery climate data and hydrogeological records, we evaluated key factors influencing groundwater availability The AHP method identified lithology as the most significant factor weight = 0 3 driven by its high permeability in alluvial deposits while soil type and land use/land cover LULC were least influential weight = 0 03 each due to minimal vegetation cover High GWPZ covering 75 85 km 2 were concentrated in the south near rivers reflecting enhanced infiltration whereas low GWPZ 203 33 km 2 dominated the southeast central and west due to steeper slopes and lower permeability Validation using Receiver Operating Characteristic ROC curves and Area Under the Curve AUC analysis showed the FR model AUC = 0 81 outperformed AHP AUC = 0 76 offering superior predictive accuracy This validated GWPZ map provides critical insights for managing water scarcity and promoting sustainable agriculture in arid environments. • Groundwater potential is vital for managing scarce water resources in arid regions. • Kenadsa-Bechar faces water scarcity with agriculture as its main economic activity. • AHP-FR integration enhances the reliability of groundwater potential mapping. • ROC-AUC analysis shows FR model outperforms AHP in accuracy for zoning groundwater. • Combining datasets improves factor evaluation for groundwater availability mapping.