Comparison of the effectiveness of AHP and ANP methods in the exploration of karst water resources in South Khorasan Province

Document Type : کاربردی

Authors

1 1. Department of Geography Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD in Geomorphology and Environmental Management, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 Bachelor of Geography, Farhangian University of South Khorasan

Abstract

In this study, with the analytic hierarchy process model, the information layers of lithology, distance from fault, slope, slope direction, elevation, distance from watercourse, distance from fault and land use were considered as factor maps. Also, in order to extract the karst water resources exploration model, shapefiles were retrieved. Different information layers were classified into criterion maps by applying expert opinions and field observations. Finally, according to the weights obtained in both AHP and ANP models, a karst water resources exploration map in South Khorasan Province was obtained. The results showed that in the AHP model, 42% of the total area of ​​South Khorasan Province was in the very underdeveloped category, 32% in the underdeveloped category, 17% in the medium category, 7% in the high development category and 2% in the very high development category. In the ANP model, 42% of the total area of ​​South Khorasan Province is in the very underdeveloped category, 33% in the underdeveloped category, 17% in the medium category, 6.5% in the highly developed category, and 1.4% in the very highly developed category. Therefore, the results of the study show that by comparing the efficiency of the two methods using validation with the well and spring layer, the ANP model has more validity, because after overlapping the two layers, in the ANP model, more wells and springs were placed on the developed and highly developed karst areas within the aquifer layer.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Hydrogeomorphology
Volume 13, Issue 48 - Serial Number 48
September 2026
Pages 68-44

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 25 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 01 December 2025

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