Hydro-Ecological Linkages in the Arid Landscapes of Kachchh, Gujarat: A Multivariate Geospatial Analysis

In arid and semi-arid regions such as the Kachchh district of western India, groundwater serves as a crucial and often sole source of freshwater, supporting both human demands and ecological functions. This study applies a multivariate geospatial framework to examine hydro-ecological interactions by integrating groundwater potential zone (GWPZ), vegetation stress and vegetation drought condition. The spatial assessment shows that the Kachchh region is experiencing moderate to mild drought (except some northern and eastern portion) which align closely with high-moderate vegetation stress zones whereas normal/no drought conditions correspond to low-stress regions, emphasizing the direct influence of climatic variability on vegetation health. Notably, regions under high-moderate vegetation stress and moderate-mild drought largely coincide with areas of low groundwater potential, indicating compounded ecological stress arising from both hydroclimatic and subsurface water limitations, underscoring water scarcity as a key limitation for vegetation stress. Further, Land Use Land Cover (LULC) analysis confirmed that areas dominated by vegetation and water bodies facilitate higher groundwater recharge, while built-up, barren, and rangeland areas displayed limited groundwater potential and poor vegetation health. As urbanization and water demand rise, understanding the spatial coherence between groundwater availability and ecosystem resilience becomes vital. The findings will offered valuable insights for sustainable groundwater management, drought resilience planning, and ecological conservation in arid and semi-arid environments like Kachchh.