Groundwater aquifers constitute the primary water supply for populations in arid regions, exemplified by the Goharkooh Plain in Iran's driest drainage basin, where conditions of high evapotranspiration and low precipitation prevail. With the escalating demand for water resources, driven mainly by agricultural expansion, the strategic management of groundwater assets has become increasingly critical. This study focuses on delineating groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) through an integrated approach combining multi-criteria decision analysis and geospatial tools. Based on an extensive literature review, nine thematic layers were selected and developed: lithology, geology, drainage density, slope gradient, elevation, vegetation cover, lineament density, land use, and precipitation. These criteria were initially weighted using the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) and subsequently integrated via weighted overlay analysis. In this research, the strategic selection of thematic layers for assessing groundwater potential in arid regions has been identified as an innovative approach that could significantly advance studies in similar settings. The analysis revealed that approximately 60% of the study area, primarily in the southwestern parts, exhibited moderate to very high groundwater potential. This potential is primarily attributed to the presence of alluvial deposits, low drainage density, and favorable slope and elevation conditions. Applying the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve yields an area under the curve (AUC) of 81.5%, indicating a relatively high level of predictive accuracy. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of this integrated approach, suggesting its broader applicability in regions with analogous groundwater challenges and management needs.

Continuous monitoring of soil erosion is necessary but challenging, especially in wetland ecosystems like Salehiya where water stress causes soil erosion and poses a threat to the environment of Tehran and Karaj. This study aims to use the perpendicular soil moisture index (PSMI) as a remote sensing index to determine the trend and zoning of soil erosion potential in Salehiya wetland. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor data from 2003 to 2017 were used to estimate adjusted soil vegetation index (SAVI), land surface temperature (LST), and finally PSMI, where higher PSMI values indicate lower soil moisture. Kendall's seasonal time series test results showed a significant increase in PSMI (with tau correlation coefficient τ=0.25) and significant decreasing trends in hydrometric time series data (with the values of the τ −0.36 and −0.27, respectively) from stations located on Kharroud and Haji Arab rivers leading to Salehiya wetland, which indicates the continuation of the water stress in the region. The zoning of soil erosion indicated that human interventions have accelerated soil erosion in addition to water stress.