In this lecture, groundwater modelling is introduced as a method for representing and analyzing hydrogeological systems to understand their behaviour and predict future conditions. Models are essential due to the complexity of natural systems and limitations in measurement techniques, enabling extrapolation from available data. They are categorized into predictive, interpretive, and generic tools, each serving different purposes such as forecasting impacts, understanding system dynamics, or studying hypothetical scenarios. Models can be physical, analog, or mathematical, with mathematical models further classified into analytical and numerical types. The development of groundwater models involves phases such as data compilation, system conceptualization, method selection, calibration, and validation.
