Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making
Nowadays, modelling groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) based on scientific principles and modern techniques is a major challenge for scientists around the world. This challenge is even greater in arid and semi-arid areas. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), geographic information systems (GISs), and m...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Hydrology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/3/58 |
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| author | Michel Constant Njock Marthe Mbond Ariane Gweth Andre Michel Pouth Nkoma Jorelle Larissa Meli’I Blaise Pascal Gounou Pokam Serges Raoul Kouamou Njifen Andre Talla Wilson Fantong Michel Mbessa Philippe Njandjock Nouck |
| author_facet | Michel Constant Njock Marthe Mbond Ariane Gweth Andre Michel Pouth Nkoma Jorelle Larissa Meli’I Blaise Pascal Gounou Pokam Serges Raoul Kouamou Njifen Andre Talla Wilson Fantong Michel Mbessa Philippe Njandjock Nouck |
| author_sort | Michel Constant Njock |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nowadays, modelling groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) based on scientific principles and modern techniques is a major challenge for scientists around the world. This challenge is even greater in arid and semi-arid areas. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), geographic information systems (GISs), and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) are modern techniques that have been applied in various fields, especially in groundwater exploration. This study attempts to apply a workflow for modelling the GWPZs using UAV technology, GIS, and MCDM in semi-arid areas. An aerial survey provided a high-resolution DEM of 4 cm. Six influencing factors, including elevation model, drainage density, lineament density, slope, flood zone, and topographic wetness index, were considered to delineate the GWPZs. Four classes of groundwater potential were identified, namely high (4.64%), moderate (23.74%), low (18.2%), and very low (53.42%). Three validation methods, namely borehole yield data, receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC), and principal component analysis (PCA), were used and gave accuracies of 82.14%, 65.4%, and 72.49%, respectively. These validations indicate a satisfactory accuracy and justify the effectiveness of the approach. The mapping of GWPZs in semi-arid areas is very important for the availability and planning of water resources management and for sustainable development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-35a13b39ad024f0ba06e438fee740417 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2306-5338 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hydrology |
| spelling | doaj-art-35a13b39ad024f0ba06e438fee7404172025-08-20T01:49:04ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382025-03-011235810.3390/hydrology12030058Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision MakingMichel Constant Njock0Marthe Mbond Ariane Gweth1Andre Michel Pouth Nkoma2Jorelle Larissa Meli’I3Blaise Pascal Gounou Pokam4Serges Raoul Kouamou Njifen5Andre Talla6Wilson Fantong7Michel Mbessa8Philippe Njandjock Nouck9Department of Fundamental and Transversal Sciences, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaounde P.O. Box 510, CameroonDepartment of Topography, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaounde P.O. Box 510, CameroonNational Institute of Cartography, Yaounde P.O. Box 157, CameroonDepartment of Physics, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 812, CameroonDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere P.O. Box 454, CameroonDepartment of Physics, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 812, CameroonDepartment of Environment, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaounde P.O. Box 510, CameroonInstitute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde P.O. Box 4110, CameroonDepartment of Civil Engineering, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaounde P.O. Box 510, CameroonDepartment of Physics, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde P.O. Box 812, CameroonNowadays, modelling groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) based on scientific principles and modern techniques is a major challenge for scientists around the world. This challenge is even greater in arid and semi-arid areas. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), geographic information systems (GISs), and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) are modern techniques that have been applied in various fields, especially in groundwater exploration. This study attempts to apply a workflow for modelling the GWPZs using UAV technology, GIS, and MCDM in semi-arid areas. An aerial survey provided a high-resolution DEM of 4 cm. Six influencing factors, including elevation model, drainage density, lineament density, slope, flood zone, and topographic wetness index, were considered to delineate the GWPZs. Four classes of groundwater potential were identified, namely high (4.64%), moderate (23.74%), low (18.2%), and very low (53.42%). Three validation methods, namely borehole yield data, receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC), and principal component analysis (PCA), were used and gave accuracies of 82.14%, 65.4%, and 72.49%, respectively. These validations indicate a satisfactory accuracy and justify the effectiveness of the approach. The mapping of GWPZs in semi-arid areas is very important for the availability and planning of water resources management and for sustainable development.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/3/58unmanned aerial vehicledigital elevation modelgroundwater potential zonessemi-arid areasmulti-criteria decision makinggeographic information system |
| spellingShingle | Michel Constant Njock Marthe Mbond Ariane Gweth Andre Michel Pouth Nkoma Jorelle Larissa Meli’I Blaise Pascal Gounou Pokam Serges Raoul Kouamou Njifen Andre Talla Wilson Fantong Michel Mbessa Philippe Njandjock Nouck Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making Hydrology unmanned aerial vehicle digital elevation model groundwater potential zones semi-arid areas multi-criteria decision making geographic information system |
| title | Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making |
| title_full | Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making |
| title_fullStr | Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making |
| title_short | Modelling of Groundwater Potential Zones in Semi-Arid Areas Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geographic Information Systems, and Multi-Criteria Decision Making |
| title_sort | modelling of groundwater potential zones in semi arid areas using unmanned aerial vehicles geographic information systems and multi criteria decision making |
| topic | unmanned aerial vehicle digital elevation model groundwater potential zones semi-arid areas multi-criteria decision making geographic information system |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/3/58 |
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