Yağmur Suyu Hasadı Yapılacak Optimum Alanların Belirlenmesi ve Kuraklık Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi: Demirci İlçesi Örneği

In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), one of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods, was employed to identify optimal Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) zones. Among the parameters integrated into the AHP, flow potential was assigned the highest weight at 27%. The flow potential data were derived using the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method, based on inputs from soil classification and regional precipitation data. The pairwise comparisons of all parameters utilized in the AHP resulted in a consistency ratio of 9%, indicating acceptable reliability of the weight assignments. In addition, to enhance the spatial assessment of suitable RWH areas, spectral band indices commonly used in drought monitoring—namely the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and the Vegetation Health Index (VHI)—were analyzed using the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) dataset over the period 2010–2024.A Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the AHP-derived suitability zones and the drought indices. The correlation coefficient between the optimal areas and VHI was calculated as r= -0.112, while the coefficient with TCI was r= -0.149.The study findings revealed that the majority of the optimal RWH areas were concentrated in the northeastern part of the region and were classified into five suitability categories: not suitable 17.08 km² (1.30%), less suitable 604.18 km² (45.96%), moderately suitable 568.96 km² (43.28%), suitable 123.52 km² (9.40%), highly suitable: 0.77 km² (0.06%).