ABSTRACT
Groundwater retention is a critical component of regional water resource management, particularly in areas affected by low terrain variability. This study presents a multi-criteria framework integrating Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate groundwater retention potential over a 130 km² flat study area. Five key geographical determinants—geologic layer permeability, distance to streams, Topographic Position Index (TPI), slope, and land cover—were incorporated into the analysis. High-resolution LiDAR-derived elevation data enabled detailed characterization of microtopographic features, while precise geological maps provided robust estimates of subsurface permeability. The proposed framework allows systematic integration of multiple thematic layers into a unified decision-making model. Pairwise comparison and weighting identified geologic layer permeability as the dominant controlling factor (45.92%), with distance to streams and TPI contributing equally (19.81% each). Slope and land cover exhibited comparatively minor influence (10.39% and 4.07%, respectively), reflecting the homogeneity of the study terrain. The resulting groundwater retention potential map demonstrates the capacity of combining high-accuracy topographic and geological datasets with multi-criteria decision analysis to produce reliable spatial predictions. This approach provides a practical framework for groundwater management, land-use planning, and hydrological assessment in regions characterized by flat landscapes and low terrain variability.
