Integrating satellite-based hydrology into climate resilience planning: Spatiotemporal analysis of groundwater dynamics in Arid Regions
Sripriya DHARSHINI Thambidurai, Brij KISHOR Pandey
Abstract. Climate change intensifies water stress in arid regions, making groundwater monitoring critical for climate resilience planning. Traditional well-based surveillance is insufficient for adaptive management at scales relevant to policy intervention. This study demonstrates integration of NASA GRACE/GRACE-FO satellite gravimetry with ESA Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) backscatter to support climate-resilient groundwater governance in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. GRACE-derived groundwater storage anomaly (GWSA) data (2015-2024) were correlated with C-band SAR backscatter intensity to establish multi-sensor surveillance framework for detecting climate-groundwater-surface interactions. Results indicate groundwater depletion of -2.0 mm/year with significant negative correlation to surface backscatter (r = -0.40, p < 0.001, n = 98), confirming detectable surface manifestations of aquifer stress. Progressive surface drying (+0.12 dB/year backscatter increase) parallels groundwater decline, indicating reduced climate buffering capacity. This freely available satellite-based approach enables continuous monitoring at scales matching climate adaptation planning frameworks, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water) and UAE National Climate Strategy objectives. The methodology provides scalable, cost-effective groundwater surveillance for climate-vulnerable regions where conventional monitoring is insufficient, facilitating evidence-based adaptation interventions.
Keywords
Climate Resilience, Groundwater Monitoring, GRACE Satellite, Sentinel-1 SAR, Climate Adaptation, Arid Regions, UAE, Water Security
Published online 6/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Sripriya DHARSHINI Thambidurai, Brij KISHOR Pandey, Integrating satellite-based hydrology into climate resilience planning: Spatiotemporal analysis of groundwater dynamics in Arid Regions, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 724-729, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-100
The article was published as article 100 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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