Review Reports - An Integration of Logistic Regression and Geographic Information System for Development of a Landslide Hazard Index to Land Use: A Case Study in Pingtung County in Southern Taiwan

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Journal: Water

Review Manuscript ID: water-2899602

Title: Development of a Landslide Hazard Index to Land Use by Using Logistic Regression and Geographic Information System: A Case Study in Pingtung County in Southern Taiwan

The manuscript represents a contribution to the study of the influence of various factors on the occurrence of landslides. Generaly, the manuscript is methodologically good designed. The manuscript has scientific potential, but major revision are necessary.

I have a some remarks that need to be refined.

The Introduction chapter includes all relevant references. The introduction must be improved. Reformulate the last paragraph. The objectives of the research are not clearly stated in the Introduction. Please indicate in detail the objectives of the research. Also, explain the application aspect of the research.

The Results chapter is not clearly defined in the manuscript. The results must be clearly presented. Presented in this way, they have the form of an elaboration, rather than a scientific explanation. Please correct this chapter.

The Discussion chapter is also missing. Please add this chapter in manuscript.

I suggest redefining the Methods chapter:

- Transfer The study area as the first title in the Methods chapter. In the Study area chapter there are data on air temperature, but not basic data on precipitation (for example, annual precipitation, intra-annual precipitation, seasonal distribution). Please complete it. Also, complete the data on the total number of urban and rural population

- Chapters 4.1. Preprocessing of Satellite Images and 4.2. Selection of Satellite Imagery Classifications can be part of the methodology.

- Please complement full name and abbreviation in the subtitles 2.1.1., 2.1.2., 2.2. and 2.3.

For example: Logistic regression (LR).

In the Environmental Factors chapter, technically edit the tables. For example: In table 3. Grade Range of Elevation (m).

Give abbreviations for each factor in table 12, and list them in paragraphs.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper presents the idea of establishing a landslide hazard index to land use based on rainfall trigger index and slope environmental strength potential.

Remote sensing data and GIS were used to collect and manage the data in the study area.

The use of logistic regression, rainfall trigger index, and slope environmental strength potential helps elucidate the inner structure of the landslide risk estimation approach. The result is well presented as a graph that certainly support risk assessment process.

The research method is appropriate. The data collection process is described in detail and the research results are well reported. The paper can be a meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge. In general, the reviewer supports the publication of this manuscript.

The authors are encouraged to revise the paper according to the following points:

1) Consider to revise the title of the paper to avoid repetitive use of word. For instance, "An Integration of Logistic Regression and Geographic Information System for Development of a Landslide Hazard Index to Land Use: A Case Study in Pingtung County in Southern Taiwan".

2) The reasonale of using "The product of the maximum 3-h rolling rainfall intensity and effective accumulated rainfall" should be elaborated in section 1.

3) In section 1: it is beneficial to add some statistical numbers related to human casualty and economic loss caused by landslide in the Taiwan or in the study area of Pingtung county.

4) The process/method for identifying the landslide pixels should be described with more details.

5) An overall flowchart of the proposed framework should be provided by a figure. Perhaps, in section 1.

6) What is the accuracy of the landuse map employed in the paper?

7) Revise the Legend of Figure 5. Slope environmental strength potential index versus rainfall trigger index. The current form of the figure is very hard to observe.

8) Discuss the limitations of the proposed framework and point out the future extension of the paper.