Skip to content

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Read our Science Bulletin
Peer-reviewed publication

A web-enabled tool for site suitability mapping for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)

Under possible risk of compound impacts of climate and anthropogenic changes, the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is envisaged to be an appropriate solution. Site suitability mapping is a crucial step in MAR project planning which requires various data, processing and GIS analysis. An automated web-based tool, named G-MCDA, is developed in this study for quick and efficient suitability mapping. G-MCDA integrates Google Earth Engine (GEE), Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), GIS and web-based interface that allows automated data downloading, GIS data processing and suitability analysis using MCDA. G-MCDA has been tested in upper Ganga-Yamuna Doab region, India, for site suitability analysis. The application of G-MCDA shows that most of the area (82%) is under suitable category followed by very suitable (12%), and moderately suitable (5%). The suitable area is mostly flat agricultural lands with alluvium aquifer. A few patches of urban and sloping lands found to be moderately/low suitable for MAR.