To mitigate groundwater overexploitation and support the scientifically informed siting of artificial recharge infrastructure in the western Huaibei Plain, this study develops a multi-criteria evaluation framework for recharge suitability, focusing on the western portion of the Huaibei Plain. The framework integrates five hydrogeologically significant indicators: Groundwater table depth, saturated thickness of the primary aquifer, hydraulic conductivity, precipitation infiltration coefficient, and proximity to perennial rivers. Indicator weights were determined through a hybrid weighting strategy—combining the analytic hierarchy process, criteria importance through intercriteria correlation, and coefficient of variation methods—to balance subjective judgment with objective data-driven variance. These weights were spatially implemented using ArcGIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis to generate a continuous recharge suitability index map. The integrated weights derived from the hybrid approach are 0.222, 0.254, 0.173, 0.185, and 0.166 for the respective indicators. Recharge suitability was classified into four ordinal categories—high, moderate, low, and unsuitable—using the natural breaks optimization method. High and moderate potential zones collectively occupy 32.93% of the study area and are predominantly located in Funan, Qiaocheng, Guoyang, and Mengcheng counties—regions identified as priority candidates for artificial recharge project implementation. A sensitivity analysis confirms the stability and reliability of the zoning outcomes under parameter perturbation. By quantitatively identifying dominant controlling factors, delineating spatially explicit potential classes, and pinpointing priority implementation zones, this study establishes a transferable methodological framework. It directly supports sustainable groundwater management in the western Huaibei Plain and offers actionable guidance for optimizing recharge infrastructure placement. Moreover, the approach demonstrates broad applicability for recharge potential assessment and integrated water resources planning in hydrologically similar alluvial plain settings.

When the soil condition and depth to water table stay constant, climate condition will then be the only determinant of evaporation intensity of phreatic water from bare soil. Based on a series of long-term quality-controlled data collected at the Wudaogou Hydrological Experiment Station in the Huaibei Plain, Anhui, China, the variation trends of the evaporation rate of phreatic water from bare soil were studied through the Mann-Kendall trend test and the linear regression trend test, followed by the study on the responses of evaporation to climate change. Results indicated that in the Huaibei Plain during 1991-2008, evaporation of phreatic water from bare soil tended to increase at a rate of 5% on monthly scale in March, June and July while in other months the increase was minor. On the seasonal basis, the evaporation saw significant increase in spring and summer. In addition, annual evaporation tended to grow evidently over time. When air temperature rises by 1 ℃, the annual evaporation rate increases by 7.24–14.21%, while when the vapor pressure deficit rises by 10%, it changes from?0.09 to 5.40%. The study also provides references for further understanding of the trends and responses of regional evapotranspiration to climate change.