Impact of land use and infrastructure on groundwater recharge

Abstract

Groundwater recharge is a critical process for sustaining aquifer systems, water security, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem functioning. However, rapid land-use change, urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, and climate variability increasingly threaten groundwater replenishment worldwide. This study systematically reviewed the impacts of land use and infrastructure development on groundwater recharge across diverse environmental and hydrogeological settings. The review aimed to synthesise current scientific evidence, identify key drivers of recharge processes, and evaluate management strategies to enhance groundwater sustainability. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 framework. Relevant studies published between 2021 and 2025 were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, PubMed, ASCE Library, and Wiley Online Library. From 1,248 initially identified records, 40 studies met the predefined inclusion criteria and were subjected to qualitative thematic synthesis. The findings revealed that land-use change significantly alters groundwater recharge by modifying infiltration, evapotranspiration, runoff generation, and soil-water interactions. Urbanisation and the expansion of impervious surfaces consistently reduced recharge by limiting infiltration opportunities and increasing surface runoff. Infrastructure development, including roads, drainage systems, dams, and urban utilities, further modified natural hydrological pathways, although green infrastructure and managed aquifer recharge systems demonstrated potential to enhance groundwater replenishment. Climate variability amplified uncertainty in recharge through changes in precipitation patterns, temperature, and extreme weather events. Regional analyses indicated that groundwater recharge responses are highly context-specific and influenced by local climatic, geological, and land-management conditions. The review highlights the need for integrated land-use planning, groundwater-sensitive infrastructure development, recharge-zone protection, and climate-resilient water management strategies to ensure long-term groundwater sustainability and water security.