Operational applications of remote sensing in groundwater mapping across sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The increased demand and abstraction of groundwater resources is a cause for concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Timely mapping and monitoring of the quantity and annual abstraction levels of groundwater resources are critical if sustainable groundwater resources management is to be fully achieved. Conventionally, groundwater mapping has been conducted based on field surveys that depend on geomorphic interpretation expertise and ancillary data analysis. Considering that these methods are costly, laborious and time-consuming makes remote sensing a better alternative for mapping groundwater resources, given the imminent need of knowledge on the status of this resource. It is therefore essential to adopt methods that would provide timely and spatially explicit information on the distribution and magnitude of groundwater for informed and restoration strategies, particularly in resource constrained Africa. This study, therefore, sought to review literature on the use of remote sensing in monitoring groundwater across sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords:

• mapping
• monitoring
• restoration
• geospatial technologies
• satellite sensors