Evaluation Index System for Thermokarst Lake Susceptibility: An Effective Tool for Disaster Warning on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis is a good article. I enjoined reading it and happy recommend for publication. I did not detect any problems and have no special comments. In fact, the article describes thermocarst processes/thaw lake formation in hard to access mountain area. I am more familiar with these processes on Siberian sample, but anyway, these are pretty much similar things. Importantly, the authors bring the question on massive landslides due to the permafrost thaw. This information is of particular interest at least from my point as this in vivo material may contribute to understanding of the past geomorphic development in different regions of former (and present) permafrost areas. Once again, this is a good article. Congratulations with this.
Author Response
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Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors1. In the Introduction Section and the main text, need to define “susceptibility” and “most susceptible”
2. Provide detailed information of data processing. The processing details of some key data are not described in the Method Section. and provide additional information on the specific data sources and their associated time periods.
3. In the Methods Section, provide more information about the reasons to choose these indictors.
4. In the Methods section, need to describe the method for determining weights of each indicator.
5. Some of the figures are not necessary to show in the manuscript, you can just put these figures in the supplementary materials.
6. Although the main factors have been pointed out, the contribution degree of these factors to the formation of thermokarst lakes can be further quantified.
7. In the discussion Section, provide comparison with previous studies. Not only the consistency of the conclusions should be focused on, but also the differences and reasons.
8. The uncertainty in the research is discussed to some extent, but the sources and influence degrees of uncertainty can be further refined.
9. In conclusion section, provide the research limitations.
10. he overall language of the manuscript is relatively fluent, but there are some problems with unclear expressions or inaccurate use of professional terms in some sentences. It is recommended to carefully proofread the entire text, optimize the language expression, and ensure the accurate use of professional terms to make the paper more in line with academic norms.
11. The clarity of some figures in the text (such as the normalized index maps) needs to be improved, and the labels and descriptions in the figures are not detailed enough.
12. It is recommended to unify the reference format, ensure the accuracy of citation information, and appropriately screen and sort the references according to the content of the paper to highlight the important references closely related to the research topic.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis paper focuses on assessing the susceptibility of thermokarst lakes in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) using satellite remote sensing data. It identifies key factors like lake density, soil moisture, slope, vegetation, snow cover, ground temperature, precipitation, and permafrost stability to create a susceptibility map. The study reveals that 19.02% of the QTP's permafrost region, mainly in southwestern Qinghai, northeastern Tibet, and Hoh Xil, is highly susceptible to thermokarst lake formation, providing insights into climate change impacts and disaster warning in this vulnerable area.
Change the year and number of volumes of the journal in the template.
The abstract is overly long and contains excessive detail, which does not align with the recommendations of MDPI. It is recommended to condense the content by focusing on the study's main objectives, key findings, and significance, ensuring the abstract is concise and within the recommended word limit.
Introduction. What are the main environmental and climatic factors contributing to the formation and expansion of thermokarst lakes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau? (I mean the effects of ground temperature, precipitation, vegetation, and permafrost stability on thermokarst lake development).
Introduction. How does the integration of remote sensing data and field investigations improve the accuracy of thermokarst lake susceptibility assessments?
The Introduction section provides a comprehensive literature review, focusing primarily on research conducted in China. Balance literature review.
Surface deformation caused by permafrost degradation, such as the formation of thermokarst lakes, poses significant risks to infrastructure and ecological stability. Similar geohazards, such as sinkholes, have been effectively studied using radar satellite interferometry, as demonstrated in the Zhezkazgan field, Kazakhstan (DOI:10.33271/mining17.04.061). These methods provide valuable insights into surface changes, which can be adapted to assess the susceptibility of thermokarst lakes, especially in remote and inaccessible regions like the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Consider it in your paper.
Another paper paper (DOI:10.51301/ejsu.2022.i4.07) highlight the role of both natural factors (e.g., seismic activity) and anthropogenic impacts in exacerbating dangerous geological processes. This reference provides valuable insights into the use of remote sensing techniques, such as LandSat imagery and UAV data, which can be effectively applied to assess and predict risks related to thermokarst lake development in permafrost regions.
In described above ways enhance literature review.
2.1. Study area. Add information that research is about China country.
Lines 146-147. Did you perform the normalization of all evaluation indicators manually, or was it done using automated tools or software?
Section 4.1. How do variations in soil composition and ice content across different regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau influence the susceptibility of thermokarst lake formation?
Section 4.1. Can you explain on how does the interplay of seasonal snow cover and thermokarst lake formation affect regional hydrology and water resource availability?
Provide a short description of further research in case of scientifical interest.
The paper has made a positive impact, and with the incorporation of the suggested revisions and recommendations, it may be deemed suitable for publication in the Sustainability journal.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authorsaccept.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPerfect revision and response.
My congratulations.
