A Quantitative Strategic Planning Framework for Artificial Groundwater Recharge of Esfarayen Aquifer in Iran based on Fuzzy AHP

Abstract

Abstract This article studies the Artificial Groundwater Recharge (AGR) of the Esfarayen aquifer, in Iran, from the perspective of the strategic planning process. For this purpose, a SWOT systematic analysis was performed for the AGR of this aquifer, and its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) were identified. These factors were analyzed and ranked using Mikhailov's fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and based on this analysis, prior strategies were proposed. The results showed that the share of two groups of threats and opportunities in higher priority factors was more than the two groups of strengths and weaknesses, so that the shares of threats and opportunities in the first half of the list of factors were 87.5% and 70% of the factors of these groups, respectively. Also, strengths have been ranked higher than weaknesses. Therefore, in selecting appropriate strategies for the future of the AGR of Esfarayen aquifer, priority should be given to ST type strategies; strategies that use the strengths of the system to try to eliminate external threats to the system. After ST type strategies, due to the high importance of opportunities, SO type strategies can also be adopted for the AGR of Esfarayen aquifer.