Spatiotemporal analysis of groundwater recharge potential in the Al-Nuway’ima–Al-Duyuk Catchment, Jericho (Palestine) techniques

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the hydrological potential for groundwater recharge in the Al-Nuway’ima–Al-Duyuk Catchment, situated north of Jericho City/Palestine, by employing a Groundwater Potential model integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) environment. The research is particularly important due to the region’s heavy reliance on groundwater resources, which are increasingly threatened by climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures that have significantly reduced natural recharge rates. The methodology involved integrating six critical spatial factors that affect recharge potential: slope, soil type, land use, vegetation cover, geology, and surface runoff. These factors were systematically weighted using the AHP method and analyzed in ArcGIS Pro to generate groundwater recharge potential maps. The temporal scope of the analysis, spanning the period from 1994 to 2024, allowed for the identification of long-term changes driven by urban expansion and climatic shifts. The findings revealed marked spatial variability in recharge efficiency. The highest recharge potential was observed in the eastern and northeastern parts of the study area, while the western slopes exhibited lower potential due to steep gradients and environmental degradation. The resulting maps facilitated the identification of priority zones for environmental restoration and the implementation of sustainable water harvesting strategies. Groundwater recharge in Al-Nuway’ima and Al-Duyuk is scarce, irregular, and only 2–10% of rainfall. Sustainable management needs regulated abstraction, efficient irrigation, and artificial recharge to secure Jericho’s limited resources. Based on these outcomes, the study recommends adopting the proposed model as a decision-support tool for groundwater resource planning and management. Furthermore, it encourages the expansion of this spatial evaluation approach to other areas within the Jordan Valley, guiding integrated and region-wide efforts for water sustainability.