Towards Landscape-Based Groundwater Recharge for Arid Regions- the Case Study of Karachi, Pakistan

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202502.1943.v1
• Publication Date: 2025-02-27T05:19:51Z
• Authors: Amna Riaz; Steffen Nijhuis; Inge Bobbink

Rapid urbanization and climate change are driving forces that changing the urban landscape affecting resources environment, particularly in megacities of arid regions. Many these cities face an acute water crisis leading to over-exploitation groundwater resources. This has led depletion aquifers, land infertility, saline intrusion, subsidence, harm hydrological ecosystems. Globally, numerous studies have documented potential recharge (GWR) using GIS remote sensing techniques. However, its spatial implementation benefits for improvement underexplored. In this study, we introduced concept landscape-based GWR by conducting a case study Karachi (Pakistan). By taking hydrology contextual systems (surface sub-surface) as foundation, explored favorable conditions social-ecological inclusive transformation landscape. Moreover, highlighted multiple approach besides recharging depleted ground conditions, i.e., improving city's biodiversity social, economic, ecological values. We found can be one solutions not only critical city but also overall quality life Furthermore, holistic towards guide future development patterns, preservation high sites, evolution sustainable regional regions where is most significant yet vulnerable resource.