ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: A conceptual model based on the sharp interface assumption was used to evaluate the sensitivity of saltwater intrusion to groundwater recharge. Sensitivity analysis shows that hydraulic conductivity and groundwater recharge are the main hydro-geological factors which affect the dynamics of freshwater-saltwater interface. The impacts of possible management scenarios on groundwater recharge have been investigated using different climate changes and land use pattern combinations. The combined climate and land use scenarios show that when aridity index is less than 60, the agricultural lands give higher groundwater recharge than other land use patterns. Relevant recharge values have been used to simulate the salinity intrusion and the freshwater loss in coastal aquifers. The combined effects of deforestation and aridity index on fresh groundwater loss show that deforestation causes the increase of the recharge and existing fresh groundwater resource in areas having less precipitation and high temperature.
