Serious concerns have arisen regarding the depletion of groundwater aquifers and water shortage, particularly in the Middle East. The utilization of qanat, subterranean tunnel-wells, may serve as a solution to addressing water scarcity and present targeted strategies toward sustainable groundwater management. This research presents an analysis of the spatial distribution of active qanats in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, considering the annual rainfall rate, the elevation from sea level, water stress risks, and groundwater table decline. It aims to identify the qanat sites that may be maintained and utilized. The findings reveal distinct geographical clusters of qanats, with a concentration in mountainous regions characterized by consistently high elevations ranging from 1500 to 2500 m above sea level and annual rainfall rates between 200 and 300 mm. In contrast, a more sporadic presence is observed in low-lying plains with elevations ranging from sea level to 1000 m, where the annual rainfall ranges between 300 and 600 mm. Participation in the restoration, maintenance, and utilization of qanats in regions facing high water stress and the risk of groundwater table decline, such as the central plateau of Iran, may offer a sustainable solution to water risk challenges.

中文翻译：

---

中东国家坎儿井地理空间分布：可持续地下水系统的潜力

人们对地下水含水层枯竭和水资源短缺感到严重关切，特别是在中东地区。利用坎儿井（地下隧道井）可以作为解决水资源短缺的解决方案，并为可持续地下水管理提出有针对性的战略。本研究分析了阿富汗、伊朗、伊拉克和叙利亚活跃坎儿井的空间分布，考虑了年降雨量、海平面海拔、水分压力风险和地下水位下降。它的目的是确定可以维护和利用的坎儿井遗址。研究结果揭示了坎儿井独特的地理集群，集中在山区，其特点是海拔始终较高，在 1500 至 2500 米之间，年降雨量在 200 至 300 毫米之间。相比之下，在海拔从海平面到 1000 米的低洼平原，年降雨量在 300 到 600 毫米之间，观察到的情况更为零星。在面临高水资源压力和地下水位下降风险的地区（例如伊朗中部高原）参与坎儿井的恢复、维护和利用，可能会为水风险挑战提供可持续的解决方案。