Dewi Liesnoor Setyowati, Figo Dwi Akbar, Fahrudin Hanafi, Enda Kalyana Putri, Saratri Wilonoyudho, Mohammad Tahir Bin Mapa
The Sukolilo Karst Landscape Area supplies water to thousands of households and hectares of agricultural land for residents in Central Java, Indonesia. This study aims to (1) estimate groundwater recharge potential; (2) assess conservation forms of springs; and (3) evaluate spatial relationships between recharge zones and conservation levels. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the APLIS (Altitude, Slope, Lithology, Infiltration zone, and Soil) recharge estimation method were used in conjunction with Pearson correlation statistics to approximate a quantitative spatial approach. The results showed that most of the study area falls within low to high recharge classes, with 21.43% categorized as high recharge zones. Most springs are located in environments with adequate infiltration characteristics. Conservation assessment shows that the majority of springs are classified as Level I (very good), indicating significant community involvement and ecological preservation. However, statistical analysis shows that conservation scores and utilisation intensity are negatively correlated, suggesting possible sustainability risks. Spatial analysis suggests that spring conservation status is influenced not only by recharge potential, but also by socio-ecological and land management factors. These findings contribute to evidence-based groundwater management strategies in tropical karst areas and support long-term water security and environmental resilience based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 Clean Water and Sanitation and Indonesia's National Development Agenda under Astacita, which aims at water security, groundwater, and environmental resilience. © 2026, Zibeline International Publishing Sdn. Bhd.. All rights reserved.
Department of Geography, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
