Groundwater potentiality mapping using ensemble machine learning algorithms for sustainable groundwater management

PurposeThe present study aims to construct ensemble machine learning (EML) algorithms for groundwater potentiality mapping (GPM) in the Teesta River basin of Bangladesh, including random forest (RF) and random subspace (RSS).Design/methodology/approachThe RF and RSS models have been implemented for integrating 14 selected groundwater condition parametres with groundwater inventories for generating GPMs. The GPM were then validated using the empirical and bionormal receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.FindingsThe very high (831–1200 km2) and high groundwater potential areas (521–680 km2) were predicted using EML algorithms. The RSS (AUC-0.892) model outperformed RF model based on ROC's area under curve (AUC).Originality/valueTwo new EML models have been constructed for GPM. These findings will aid in proposing sustainable water resource management plans.