Enhancing Groundwater Recharge Assessment in Mediterranean Regions: A Comparative Study Using Analytical Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process Integrated with Geographic Information Systems for the Algiers Watershed

Farouk Mezali, Meriem Chetibi, Khatir Naima, Abdessamed Derdour (), Saida Benmamar, Hussein Almohamad, Fahdah Falah ben Hasher and Hazem Ghassan Abdo
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Farouk Mezali: Water Sciences Research Laboratory: LRS-Eau, National Polytechnic School, Algiers 16200, Algeria
Meriem Chetibi: Water Sciences Research Laboratory: LRS-Eau, National Polytechnic School, Algiers 16200, Algeria
Khatir Naima: Energy and Environment Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University Center Salhi Ahmed Naama (Ctr. University Naama), P.O. Box 66, Naama 45000, Algeria
Abdessamed Derdour: Artificial Intelligence Laboratory for Mechanical and Civil Structures and Soil, University Center of Naama, P.O. Box 66, Naama 45000, Algeria
Saida Benmamar: Water Sciences Research Laboratory: LRS-Eau, National Polytechnic School, Algiers 16200, Algeria
Hussein Almohamad: Department of Geography, College of Languages and Human Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Fahdah Falah ben Hasher: Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Hazem Ghassan Abdo: Geography Department, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Tartous University, Tartous P.O. Box 2147, Syria

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-36

Abstract: Groundwater recharge is critical for sustainable water management in water-scarce regions like North Algeria, where climate change and urbanization exacerbate resource challenges, particularly in the populous Algiers watershed. This study evaluates groundwater recharge potential using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and its fuzzy extension (FAHP), integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to map recharge zones. Employing open-source data, AHP and FAHP assessed factors such as lithology, slope, and rainfall, classifying the watershed into high, moderate, and low recharge potential zones. Results show AHP identifying 44.01% (528.95 km 2 ) as high, 52.82% (634.93 km 2 ) as moderate, and 3.18% (38.14 km 2 ) as low potential, with FAHP yielding similar outcomes (44.35%, 52.47%, and 3.17%, respectively). Validation using borehole drawdown data confirmed a 73.3% accuracy and an AUC of 0.72, indicating moderate to good reliability. High recharge zones were concentrated in the central and northern areas with permeable soils and gentle slopes, moderate zones dominated the region, and low zones were minimal. This study concludes that both AHP and FAHP are effective for preliminary recharge assessments, with AHP favored for its simplicity, though FAHP excels with uncertain data. Limited high-resolution hydrogeological data highlight the need for further refinement, yet the approach offers a replicable framework for managing groundwater in arid, urbanized regions facing similar environmental pressures.

Keywords: groundwater recharge; analytical hierarchy process (AHP); fuzzy AHP (FAHP); GIS; hydrological modeling; mediterranean regions; water resource management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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