Developing Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Groundwater Recharge through Advanced Hydrological Modelling and Water Availability Assessment in Arid Regions

Effective water resource management in arid and data-scarce regions necessitates innovative approaches that incorporate advanced hydrological modeling and remote sensing technologies. This study focuses on developing nature-based solutions for groundwater recharge, specifically identifying aquifer recharge zones to combat water scarcity in areas characterized by low precipitation and limited streamflow data.

Utilizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plus (SWAT+), this research integrates remote sensing datasets with observed hydrological data for model calibration, aiming to estimate water availability and optimize storage potential. A comprehensive water balance approach is employed to evaluate precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and infiltration dynamics, which enables precise estimation of water availability for recharge efforts.

By coupling SWAT+ with a groundwater module, the study analyzes infiltration capacity at a grid scale, facilitating the identification of high-potential groundwater recharge zones. The integration of remote sensing-derived parameters, including land use, soil type, and topography, enhances the model's ability to simulate water flow dynamics across watersheds.

This methodology is applied to Balochistan, Pakistan’s most vulnerable province to floods and droughts, where groundwater overexploitation and insufficient infrastructure exacerbate water challenges. The study’s findings provide insights into sustainable aquifer recharge strategies, supported by spatial analyses and thematic maps. These results inform the development of targeted interventions for water conservation, flood mitigation, and drought resilience in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions. This approach highlights the transformative potential of combining nature-based solutions with advanced hydrological modeling to secure water resources in arid regions.