“It Will Be a Desert”: Extreme Weather and the Effects of Climate Catastrophe on Vulnerable Riparian Spaces in Nairobi, Kenya

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report (Previous Reviewer 2)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

From my perspective the manuscript should be more focused on the description of methods and more concise in presenting the results, so the readers would have a better picture of its contributions to the field. 

In this current version the outcomes are presented in a disperse way, which is a burden to the readers.

Also, the paper lacks of a substantial discussion of the results considering the relevant scientific literature.  

Author Response

Reviewer 1

 

From my perspective the manuscript should be more focused on the description of methods and more concise in presenting the results, so the readers would have a better picture of its contributions to the field. Thank you for reading my manuscript.  I have gone in to far more detail now in the methods section, explaining clearly what each sampling strategy is and why I chose to use it.  I have made the results section clearer with correct numerical headings, and an introductory paragraph which clearly lays out how the section is organized.

In this current version the outcomes are presented in a disperse way, which is a burden to the readers.  I am not clear whether you mean the results or the discussion section here, but I believe I have now addressed them both.

Also, the paper lacks of a substantial discussion of the results considering the relevant scientific literature.  I believe I have now addressed this, with significant discussion of urban policy and existing literature by Kenyan scholars.

Reviewer 2 Report (Previous Reviewer 3)

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This new improved manuscript have done the important improvement and will attract more concerns about cities in developing nation ,such as Narobi, etc.  The suggestion to this manuscript:

1. the format of the photos are not well displayed in the contents

2. few scientific information or data in the text, and still need some revision

Comments on the Quality of English Language

This improved version will attract the concerns about city enviroment in developing nations such as Narobi. Suggestion for publication in the following revising about the quality of English, I do not have more suggesions. There are some mixing of the contents in the text, and need rr-check it and giving some revision.

 

Author Response

Reviewer 2

This new improved manuscript have done the important improvement and will attract more concerns about cities in developing nation ,such as Narobi, etc. Thank you for reading my manuscript. The suggestion to this manuscript:

1. the format of the photos are not well displayed in the contents I am not aware of a contents section, but I have made sure now that all the photographs are cited in the text and in the correct order.
2. few scientific information or data in the text, and still need some revision I am confused by your comment, this is a social science study and therefore ‘scientific information or data’ are in narrative form, which is the convention for social science.

This improved version will attract the concerns about city enviroment in developing nations such as Narobi. Suggestion for publication in the following revising about the quality of English as a native English speaker born and raised in England, I am certain that my ‘quality of English’ is sufficient, I do not have more suggesions. There are some mixing of the contents in the text again, I am not aware of a section called ‘contents’ and perhaps the editor can confirm this for me, and need rr-check it and giving some revision.

 

Many thanks for the helpful and constructive feedback which I believe has led to the significant improvement of my manuscript.

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Unfortunately, the quality of this paper does not meet the standards for acceptance in a peer-reviewed journal. Several passages read more like a personal research narrative than a formal academic paper. The author should remove personal anecdotes and adopt formal language throughout. For example, “As a visual artist myself, I took a large number of photographs. Some of these were intended for an exhibition, and others were documentary”. The methods section is vague and resembles a personal travel journal entry in Kenya rather than a well-designed research study. The paper lacks a robust approach. The sampling methods require justification, and saturation needs to be discussed. The results section is poorly presented, relying heavily on direct quotations from interviews. A more analytical approach is needed. This study raises a significant concern due to its similarity to a previous paper by the same author, titled ‘A tale of two rivers: development, destruction, and despair in Ongata Rongai, Kenya’ https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1164881  (Front. Public Health, 25 August 2023, Sec. Planetary Health, Vol. 11). The apparent reuse of figures, methods, results (same quotations!!!) suggest this may be a case of ‘duplicate and salami publication’ in academia. Given this concern, what originality does this current paper contribute?

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Use more precise academic language.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I found it difficult to follow the link between objectives and methodology, and how the evidence supporting discussion/conclusions were produced.

In my opinion the paper would benefit from a more straightforward structure, which would also lead to a more focused and concise manuscript. It would be particularly relevant to focus on the main contributions of the paper to the knowledge area/field, which implies in a deeper discussion of the outcomes considering the relevant literature.

I believe the paper should be fully revised and re-submitted. Therefore my conclusion is to reject in its current version.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments to this manuscrits:

(1) the research is novel and interesting, promoting the awareness of the riparian enviroment of the satellite town in rapid urbanization nations.

(2) The scientific data or evidences of the environmental changes in the study area is not adequately.  The maps indicated the changes of the new town (Ongaga Rongai), but did not showing the detailed spatial analysis.

(3) In the text the interview statements could be reorganized in a table and that will provide full vision of the urban environmental changes

(4) According to title of the paper, the climate change should be an importnt part in the text, but not demonstrated in a suitable scientific method.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

African is experiencing the rapid ubanization. The urban riparian spaces are  vulnerable and pressure on water resources is growing. In this manuscript the author focused on Ongata Rongai, a satellite town in Nairobi Metropolitan area. The writing quality is fine and novel.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf