GIS-Based Assessment of Environmental Factors Influencing Groundwater Potential in Nueva Ecija
Downloads
Groundwater plays a vital role in supporting domestic, agricultural, and economic activities in Nueva Ecija. This study assessed the observed spatial relationships between selected environmental factors and groundwater availability using Geographic Information System (GIS)-based spatial analysis techniques. Secondary geospatial datasets on groundwater availability, soil types, elevation, and stream networks were obtained from the Philippine Geoportal and related sources and analyzed using QGIS. Overlay Analysis, Zonal Statistics, and Euclidean Distance Analysis were employed to examine spatial patterns among variables. Results indicated that areas with lower elevations, favorable soil types such as sandy loam and silt loam, and closer proximity to stream networks generally corresponded to more productive groundwater availability classes. Among the evaluated variables, elevation showed the strongest observed spatial association with groundwater availability, followed by soil type and distance to rivers and drainage systems. The findings suggest that topographic conditions and soil characteristics may be spatially associated with groundwater distribution patterns within the province. The study demonstrates the usefulness of GIS-based spatial analysis as a preliminary tool for regional groundwater assessment and water resource planning. However, the results remain interpretative due to the use of secondary datasets and the absence of field validation and hydrogeological measurements. Groundwater studies commonly use GIS-based spatial analysis for preliminary groundwater assessment and resource planning, particularly in data-limited areas.
Ajadi, J., Yusuf, M., Omolaiye, G. E., Adam, S. B., & Alade, A. D. (2025). Evaluation of groundwater resources using remote sensing and GIS techniques. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44288-025-00244-0
Alemu, W.T., Suryabhagavan, K.V., Azagegn, T. et al. Groundwater Potential Zone Mapping Using GIS and Remote Sensing: A Case of Teji River catchment, Southwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Earth Syst Environ (2025). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41748-025-00811-y
Bajracharya, R., Nakamura, T., Ghimire, S., Shakya, B. M., & Tamrakar, N. K. (2020). Identifying groundwater and river water interconnections using hydrochemistry, stable isotopes, and statistical methods. *Water, 12*(6), 1524. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/6/1524
Bhandari, P. (2021, July 7). Correlational research | When & how to use. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/correlational-research/
Contreras, S. M., Sandoval, T. S., & Tejada, S. Q. (2013). Rainwater harvesting, its prospects and challenges in the uplands of Talugtog, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 1(3), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-6339(15)30031-9
Cuevas, J. G., Cari, J. E. E., Principe, J. A., Tamondong, A. M., Dimalanta, C. B., & Armada, L. T. (2026). Assessment of groundwater potential in North-Central Palawan using remote sensing and geophysical analysis of fractured basement aquifers. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, X-5/W4-2025, 197–203. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-X-5-W4-2025-197-2026
Dapar, R. D. L., & Espina, R. U. (2026). GIS-AHP-based mapping of groundwater potential zones and evaluation of water infrastructure locations: A case study in Tagum City, Philippines. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 16(1), 32570–32576. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.15265
Flores, R. R., & Sacdalan, J. P. C. (2025). Application of GIS-integrated water fluctuation method for groundwater fluctuation estimation. CLSU International Journal of Science and Technology, 9(10), Article 000010. https://ijst.clsu.edu.ph/index.php/ijst/article/view/2025-vln9-10
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2021). Soil and water relationships. FAO. https://www.fao.org/
Fraga, J. K. R., Mendoza, S. S., Velasco, A. B., Estrada, J. L., Husana, D. E. M., & Magbanua, F. S. (2026). Diving deep: Trends and gaps in Philippine groundwater research (1982–2024). Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 64, Article 103198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103198
Galoso, J. R. M., & Principe, J. A. (2024). Development of a GIS-based system for irrigation management and flow distribution. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVIII-4-W8-2023, 267–272. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-4-W8-2023-267-2024
Galvez, R. A. N., Quiaoit, H. A. R., Cruz, R. V. O., Torres, A. G., Tatil, W. T. T., Alovera, J. R., & Suson, P. D. (2026). Groundwater recharge suitability mapping in Iligan City, Philippines using WATERS: A consistency-controlled AHP-GIS decision-support tool. Environmental Research Communications. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ae56d6
Gao, Z., Liu, W., Liu, J., Wang, Z., & Wang, S. (2022). Study on the relationship between river water and groundwater under different aquifer mediums. *Water, 14*(7), 1134. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1134
Inson, J. G. M., Supsup, C. E., & Flores, M. J. C. (2021). Spatial mapping of groundwater quality in the municipality of Santa Ignacia, Tarlac, Philippines. Applied Water Science, 11, 174. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13201-021-01513-2
International Water Management Institute. (2015). Water and soil management for sustainable agriculture. IWMI. https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/
Jaafarzadeh, M. S., Tahmasebipour, N., Haghizadeh, A., Pourghasemi, H. R., & Rouhani, H. (2021). Groundwater recharge potential zonation using an ensemble of machine learning and bivariate statistical models. Scientific Reports, 11(1), Article 5587. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-85205-6
Joleha, J., et al. (2024). Mapping groundwater level and soil permeability using GIS. Journal of Geoscience, Engineering, Environment, and Technology. https://journal.uir.ac.id/index.php/JGEET/article/view/14036
Juanico, D. E. (2020). Noise-resilience horizon of groundwater potential maps: A GIS-based multi-criteria analysis. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 523988. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.523988
Kassa, S. B., Zimale, F. A., Mulu, A., Worku, T. A., Wossene, M. L., et al. (2025). Groundwater potential assessment using integrated geospatial and analytic hierarchy process techniques (AHP) in Chemoga Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Air, Soil and Water Research, 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786221241312806
Kawo, N. S., Zhou, Y., Magalso, R., & Salvacion, L. (2018). Optimization of an artificial-recharge–pumping system for water supply in the Maghaway Valley, Cebu, Philippines. Hydrogeology Journal, 26, 963–977. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1693-y
Lee, S., Hyun, Y., Lee, S., & Lee, M. (2020). Groundwater potential mapping using GIS-based machine learning techniques. Remote Sensing, 12(7), 1200.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/7/1200
Machiwal, D., Cloutier, V., Güler, C., & Kazakis, N. (2018). A review of GIS-integrated statistical techniques for groundwater quality evaluation and protection. Environmental Earth Sciences, 77(19), 681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7872-x
National Irrigation Administration. (2023). Irrigation development and water use in Central Luzon. https://www.nia.gov.ph
Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2020). Soil texture and water retention. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
Nigusse, A. G. M., et al. (2025). Spatial analysis of groundwater potential mapping using geospatial technologies. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-22304-8
OpenTopography. (2020). Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Data. Retrieved 2026 from https://opentopography.org
Owolabi, S. T., Mhangara, P., & Kalumba, A. M. (2020). A groundwater potential zone mapping approach for semi-arid environments using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13, Article 566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06166-0
Philippine Geoportal. (2020). Groundwater Availability Dataset. Retrieved 2026 from https://www.geoportal.gov.ph
Philippine Geoportal. (2020). Soil Types for Regions III and IV. Retrieved 2026 from https://www.geoportal.gov.ph
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023). Nueva Ecija Provincial Profile. https://psa.gov.ph
Phong, T. V., et al. (2021). Groundwater potential mapping using GIS-based hybrid artificial intelligence methods. Groundwater, 59(5), 745–760. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13094
QGIS Plugins. (2020). ArcGeek Calculator Plugin. Retrieved 2026 from https://plugins.qgis.org/plugins/ArcGeekCalculator/
Quitaneg, L. C. (2021). GMS-MODFLOW application in the investigation of groundwater potential in Concepcion, Tarlac, Philippines. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 958(1), 012005. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357628454_GMS-MODFLOW_application_in_the_investigation_of_groundwater_potential_in_Concepcion_Tarlac_Philippines
Rances, J. C. R., Quizon, R. R., Duarte, R. A. E., Magbanua, F. S., Tenoc, G. L., et al. (2025). A pilot study assessing the groundwater quality in selected regions of the Philippines using the Philippine groundwater health index project. Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development, 29(4), 53–62. https://doi.org/10.4103/PJHRD.PJHRD_35_25
Robles, K. P. V., et al. (2025). Assessment and Monitoring of Groundwater Contaminants in Heavily Urbanized Areas: A Review of Methods and Applications for Philippines. Water, 17(13), 1903. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131903
Sandoval, J. A., & Tiburan, C. L. (2019). Identification of potential artificial groundwater recharge sites in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines using GIS and analytical hierarchy process. Applied Geography, 105, 73–85. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014362281830208X
SimpleMaps. (2023). Philippines Provinces Shapefile. Retrieved 2026 from https://simplemaps.com/gis/country/ph#admin1
Sophocleous, M. (2002). Interactions between groundwater and surface water: The state of the science. Hydrogeology Journal, 10, 52–67. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-001-0170-8
Touré, H., Boateng, C. D., Gidigasu, S. S. R., et al. (2025). Groundwater potential mapping of the central region using integrated geological and geophysical methods. Applied Water Science, 16, 29. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13201-025-02708-7
U.S. Geological Survey. (2016). Groundwater and Soil Permeability. https://www.usgs.gov/
Velasco, A. B., Magbanua, F. S., del Rosario, J. S., Estrada, J. L., Fraga, J. K. R., Mondejar, J. P., Sapitan, J. F. J. F., Geroza, I. P., Tenoc, G. L., & Husana, D. E. M. (2024). Groundwater quality variations during wet and dry seasons in agricultural and forested areas in the Philippines. Water Resources, 51(Suppl. 2), S293–S305. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807824604849
Zhang, Z., et al. (2023). Groundwater potential assessment in Gannan Region, China, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model and GIS-based analytical hierarchical process. Remote Sensing, 15(15), 3873. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs1515387
