{"title":"GIS-based delineation of groundwater potential zones in the Mehran Plain using meta-heuristic optimization techniques","authors":"Alireza Vafaeinejad, Sasan Mahmoudi Jam, Alireza Sharifi","doi":"10.1007/s12518-026-00749-4","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Groundwater is a critical resource for sustainable development and agriculture in arid regions, such as the Mehran Plain, where accurate delineation of potential zones is essential. This study delineates Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZs) by integrating GIS with four meta-heuristic optimization algorithms: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), and Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO). Fourteen thematic layers were weighted using each algorithm to generate GWPZ maps. The novelty of this research lies in the systematic performance comparison and dual-scenario weighting (well-density (well-d) and specific yield (Sy)) of these meta-heuristics. We validated the GWP maps against a Groundwater Flow Intensity-Direction (GFID) map. Quantitative results show that PSO_well-d achieved the highest accuracy with a spatial overlap of 80.2% and an RMSE of 0.202. The ‘Very Suitable’ zones cover 15.4% of the plain, primarily in the western sectors. The integration of GIS with meta-heuristic optimization provides an efficient, data-driven framework for groundwater resource planning in environmentally stressed regions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":46286,"journal":{"name":"Applied Geomatics","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Applied Geomatics","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12518-026-00749-4","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"REMOTE SENSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Groundwater is a critical resource for sustainable development and agriculture in arid regions, such as the Mehran Plain, where accurate delineation of potential zones is essential. This study delineates Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZs) by integrating GIS with four meta-heuristic optimization algorithms: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), and Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO). Fourteen thematic layers were weighted using each algorithm to generate GWPZ maps. The novelty of this research lies in the systematic performance comparison and dual-scenario weighting (well-density (well-d) and specific yield (Sy)) of these meta-heuristics. We validated the GWP maps against a Groundwater Flow Intensity-Direction (GFID) map. Quantitative results show that PSO_well-d achieved the highest accuracy with a spatial overlap of 80.2% and an RMSE of 0.202. The ‘Very Suitable’ zones cover 15.4% of the plain, primarily in the western sectors. The integration of GIS with meta-heuristic optimization provides an efficient, data-driven framework for groundwater resource planning in environmentally stressed regions.
期刊介绍:
Applied Geomatics (AGMJ) is the official journal of SIFET the Italian Society of Photogrammetry and Topography and covers all aspects and information on scientific and technical advances in the geomatics sciences. The Journal publishes innovative contributions in geomatics applications ranging from the integration of instruments, methodologies and technologies and their use in the environmental sciences, engineering and other natural sciences.
The areas of interest include many research fields such as: remote sensing, close range and videometric photogrammetry, image analysis, digital mapping, land and geographic information systems, geographic information science, integrated geodesy, spatial data analysis, heritage recording; network adjustment and numerical processes. Furthermore, Applied Geomatics is open to articles from all areas of deformation measurements and analysis, structural engineering, mechanical engineering and all trends in earth and planetary survey science and space technology. The Journal also contains notices of conferences and international workshops, industry news, and information on new products. It provides a useful forum for professional and academic scientists involved in geomatics science and technology.
Information on Open Research Funding and Support may be found here: https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-research/institutional-agreements