Land Use Dynamics and Impact on Regional Climate Post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin, Garhwal Himalaya

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors,

The manuscript is good, the authors evaluate the land use dynamics and impact on regional climate post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin. It is an interesting and great contribution to the scientific community; however, the introduction, methodology and references of the paper should be improved. The manuscript must be improved and sent for another review. Next, I place my suggestions:

The authors do not correctly use the journal template (Reference format, line numeration, Table 1 is preferable to be supplementary material)

Keywords: I suggest using more common and simple keywords. You can use the WOS or Scopus databases to see which keywords have the largest number of documents, which is understood as the most widely used in the scientific world. Personally, I do not see attractive to use the extensive keywords (Garhwal Himalaya is already in the title) (It's just a suggestion, It's not mandatory. I leave it at the judgment of the authors).

All manuscript: It is necessary to place more references that justify the affirmations. I invite the authors to consider more current works. Of the 40 manuscripts cited, only 12 are from the last 5 years. The authors only use 31 references, they must have more. I identified 5 references from one of the authors, I suggest that the percentage of selfcites is less than 5%.

Introduction:

This section has few citations, it is necessary that you have them as it is an introduction. The introduction is poor in extension, development and appointments. I suggest expanding this section, a good approach is to place a paragraph at the beginning the general context of the worldwide dams, the following paragraph to place the local context (this if it meets). The following paragraph can address the most common impacts of dams, this if it partially meets, but it must improve the references used. Then I should go paragraph that, from an idea of the methodologies used in this study, compared to other similar studies in other regions and can finally close with the paragraph that includes the target of the Paper. There are several recent studies that demonstrate the impacts of large dams. The authors place quotes from ancient. I suggest complementing your references with current jobs. I place several manuscripts that can help develop this: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0606377103, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1111374109, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2003.10.015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.143, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2013.01.009, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10030191, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi9100583, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012971715668, https://doi.org/10.11137/2019_1_74_86, https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031630.  There are several recent studies that demonstrate the impacts of large dams. It is necessary to emphasize the objective of the study and justify the reason for the analysis periods

Methodology:  Place program citations, if it was with ArcGIS Pro, you can place the following: https://pro.arcgis.com/es/pro-app/2.7/get-started/get-started.htm. Figure 2 is not necessary; it is already known. I suggest commenting more technical detail of the satellite images. It is necessary to place the names of the entities and references where the secondary data obtained. I was not clear how to make the validation of the data. I want to see more details of this section, so that it is replicable. It is necessary to describe the data processing in ERDAS a ArcGIS in detail. Report the bands used (may be obvious, but they should think about people who wish to replicate your work and that are not familiar with remote sensing data).

Author Response

Reply to the Reviewer Comments

Remark: We would like to thank you for your scholarly comments and suggestion to enrich the present manuscript.

The manuscript is good, the authors evaluate the land use dynamics and impact on regional climate post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin. It is an interesting and great contribution to the scientific community; however, the introduction, methodology and references of the paper should be improved. The manuscript must be improved and sent for another review. Next, I place my suggestions:

The authors do not correctly use the journal template (Reference format, line numeration, Table 1 is preferable to be supplementary material)

Remark: We have used the journal template and added Table 1 as supplementary material.

Keywords: I suggest using more common and simple keywords. You can use the WOS or Scopus databases to see which keywords have the largest number of documents, which is understood as the most widely used in the scientific world. Personally, I do not see attractive to use the extensive keywords (Garhwal Himalaya is already in the title) (It's just a suggestion, It's not mandatory. I leave it at the judgment of the authors).

Remark: Change the keywords.

All manuscript: It is necessary to place more references that justify the affirmations. I invite the authors to consider more current works. Of the 40 manuscripts cited, only 12 are from the last 5 years. The authors only use 31 references, they must have more. I identified 5 references from one of the authors, I suggest that the percentage of self cites is less than 5%.

Remark: corrected according to the suggestion.

Introduction:

This section has few citations, it is necessary that you have them as it is an introduction. The introduction is poor in extension, development and appointments. I suggest expanding this section, a good approach is to place a paragraph at the beginning the general context of the worldwide dams, the following paragraph to place the local context (this if it meets). The following paragraph can address the most common impacts of dams, this if it partially meets, but it must improve the references used. Then I should go paragraph that, from an idea of the methodologies used in this study, compared to other similar studies in other regions and can finally close with the paragraph that includes the target of the Paper. There are several recent studies that demonstrate the impacts of large dams. The authors place quotes from ancient. I suggest complementing your references with current jobs. I place several manuscripts that can help develop this: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0606377103, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1111374109, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2003.10.015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.143, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2013.01.009, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10030191, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi9100583, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012971715668, https://doi.org/10.11137/2019_1_74_86, https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031630.  There are several recent studies that demonstrate the impacts of large dams. It is necessary to emphasize the objective of the study and justify the reason for the analysis periods.

Remark: We have cited the above-listed research papers in the introduction section. The objective of the present research is to analyse the inter-linkages between land use and land cover and its impact on regional climate. Therefore, we have looked Tehri dam as a principal cause of land use change in the area.

Methodology:  Place program citations, if it was with ArcGIS Pro, you can place the following: https://pro.arcgis.com/es/pro-app/2.7/get-started/get-started.htm. Figure 2 is not necessary; it is already known. I suggest commenting more technical detail of the satellite images. It is necessary to place the names of the entities and references where the secondary data obtained. I was not clear how to make the validation of the data. I want to see more details of this section, so that it is replicable. It is necessary to describe the data processing in ERDAS a ArcGIS in detail. Report the bands used (may be obvious, but they should think about people who wish to replicate your work and that are not familiar with remote sensing data).

Remark: We have used ArcGIS 9.3 and Erdas Imagine 14 software in the study. So we do not have any code to cite. Figure 2 is removed, though it was significant to show the difference between processed and unprocessed images. The descriptions of satellite images are added in the methodology section.

Once again we thank you for your critical suggestion.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript titled "  Land use dynamics and impact on regional climate post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin, Garhwal Himalaya " is easy and rise the main issues in such area. Authors study LULC changes and relation with climate change. The analysis is done well but the manuscript needs a complete overhauling for sentence framing and grammar corrections.

Still there are many issues present in the manuscript which should be explained properly. The manuscript needs some major revisions as given below:

 

General comments

Ø  Continues line number is useful tool for read the manuscript and review, so give the continues line number.

Ø  The text of this paper in general needs a thorough review, as there are multiple spelling and grammatical errors.

Ø  Citation in main text does not contain in proper way in main text, Please set it as journal style.

Ø  The conclusions should focus on the summary of the study, main findings, and possible implications. Write the future recommendation of your research in conclusion.

Abstract

·         First you used the word ‘’land use and land cover’’ then land use/cover. Please use same word in whole manuscript. I suggest that land use and land cover (LULC) used for manuscript.

·         Land use and land cover changes (LULC) must convert to the word ‘’land use and land cover (LULC) changes’’.

·         What means non-supervised ? I think you say un-supervised classification.

·         What means GIS ? Write full name then abbreviate.

·         Please write the Area in (km2) with % in abstract.

Introduction

 

·         Write the pervious information about NDVI and climate change.

·         Citation in introduction and discussion section does not contain in proper way in main text, Please set it as journal style.

·         More research background and motivation should be added to the Introduction section. Although, I propose some new papers must be added in the reference list and text which will also help you to make it more intriguing such . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21650-8, https://doi.org/10.3390/land11050595, https://doi.org/10.3390/land10101026, https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2021.1923272.

·         Why are you conduct this research in Garhwal Himalaya. Write the information about climate change in your study area in introduction.

·         Write your objectives in detail.

 

Material and method

·         Table 1 showed all detail, therefore fig. 2 is not necessary in this manuscript. Please deleted fig. 2.

·         What means NASA. Write full name.

·         What means GPS??

·         Please write the information and formula of NDVI in material and method section.

·         Write the full name of TM, ETM and OLI.

Results

·         You says that forest area increased and agriculture area almost same during 2000 to 2020. If forest increased, then why climate changes also increase. Give the answer in scientific views.

·         Where is map of NDVI for 2020 ??

·         NDVI detail must be added in results section.

·         Where is map of population map for 2020??

·         Fig. 8 doe not necessary, please deleted this.

·         Please check the relation between NDVI and climate change and also make the graphs of regression analysis (R²) and add in results.

·         References style is also not match to journal style, please set it.

 

 

Overall, the study conducted is interesting but a major revision of the entire manuscript is essentially required for publication in this journal. Hence, I recommend reconsideration after a major revision of the manuscript.  

 

 

Author Response

Reply to the Reviewer Comments

Remark: We would like to thank you for your scholarly comments and suggestion to enrich the present manuscript.

The manuscript titled “Land use dynamics and impact on regional climate post-Tehri Dam in the Bhilangana Basin, Garhwal Himalaya “is easy and raise the main issues in such area. Authors study LULC changes and relation with climate change. The analysis is done well but the manuscript needs a complete overhauling for sentence framing and grammar corrections.

Still there are many issues present in the manuscript which should be explained properly. The manuscript needs some major revisions as given below:

Remark: We thank you for your encouraging words. 

General comments

Ø  Continues line number is useful tool for read the manuscript and review, so give the continues line number.

Ø  The text of this paper in general needs a thorough review, as there are multiple spelling and grammatical errors.

Remark: corrected.

Ø  Citation in main text does not contain in proper way in main text, Please set it as journal style.

Remark: corrected.

Ø  The conclusions should focus on the summary of the study, main findings, and possible implications. Write the future recommendation of your research in conclusion.

Remark: corrected.

Abstract

• First you used the word ‘’land use and land cover’’ then land use/cover. Please use same word in whole manuscript. I suggest that land use and land cover (LULC) used for manuscript.

Remark: corrected as per suggestion.

• Land use and land cover changes (LULC) must convert to the word ‘’land use and land cover (LULC) changes’’.
• What means non-supervised ? I think you say un-supervised classification.
• What means GIS ? Write full name then abbreviate.
• Please write the Area in (km2) with % in abstract.

Remark: corrected as per suggestion.

Introduction

• Write the pervious information about NDVI and climate change.
• Citation in introduction and discussion section does not contain in proper way in main text, Please set it as journal style.

Remark: corrected as per suggestion.

• More research background and motivation should be added to the Introduction section. Although, I propose some new papers must be added in the reference list and text which will also help you to make it more intriguing such. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21650-8, https://doi.org/10.3390/land11050595, https://doi.org/10.3390/land10101026, https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2021.1923272.
• Why are you conduct this research in Garhwal Himalaya. Write the information about climate change in your study area in introduction.
• Write your objectives in detail.

Remark: corrected as per suggestion.

Material and method

• Table 1 showed all detail, therefore fig. 2 is not necessary in this manuscript. Please deleted fig. 2.

Remark: The other reviewer asks to delete Table 1 and provide as supplementary materials. Deleted Fig. 2 as per your suggestion.

• What means NASA. Write full name.
• What means GPS??
• Please write the information and formula of NDVI in material and method section.
• Write the full name of TM, ETM and OLI.

Remark: corrected as per suggestion.

Results

• You says that forest area increased and agriculture area almost same during 2000 to 2020. If forest increased, then why climate changes also increase. Give the answer in scientific views.

Remark: Please do read in continuation of sentence. Forest cover increased after 2010 due to complementary afforestation and social forestry schemes. Though, it was decreased during 2000 to 2020.

• Where is map of NDVI for 2020 ??
• NDVI detail must be added in results section.
• Where is map of population map for 2020??

Remark: The objective of this study is to analyse land use and land cover change and its impact on regional climate. Hence, the NDVI and population dynamics are used to justify the LULC dynamics pre-and post-construction of the Tehri reservoir. There are no substantial changes during 2010-2020.

• Fig. 8 doe not necessary, please deleted this.

Remark: Deleted Fig. 8.

• Please check the relation between NDVI and climate change and also make the graphs of regression analysis (R²) and add in results.

Remark: This is good suggestion but it is beyond the objective of the present research.

• References style is also not match to journal style, please set it.

 Remark: corrected.

 Overall, the study conducted is interesting but a major revision of the entire manuscript is essentially required for publication in this journal. Hence, I recommend reconsideration after a major revision of the manuscript.

Once again we thank you for your critical suggestion.

 

Reviewer 3 Report

In this article, the authors attempted to analyze land use changes in the northern part of India after the creation of the dam. The article is an interesting scientific study as it deals with the problem of climatic implications and environmental changes caused by anthropogenic changes in the terrain. After reading the text, however, a few questions arise:

What is the novelty of the knowledge in the presented article?

How the creation of new dams is justified in terms of natural and socio-economic reasons, e.g. in the context of their removal in other countries of the world, see:

Habel, M., Mechkin, K., Podgorska, K. et al. Dam and reservoir removal projects: a mix of social-ecological trends and cost-cutting attitudes. Sci Rep 10, 19210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-76158-3

Why the authors did not emphasize the negative consequences of the creation of dams?

The article was not prepared in accordance with the journal's guidelines. The literature has been incorrectly cited throughout the article. Authors must read the guidelines carefully, correct the citation method, and arrange the references in the order in which they are cited.

The number of references to literature is not sufficient. Authors should consider extending the list of cited items, including those listed below:

Tuan, Nguyen Tran. "Urbanization and land use change: A study in Vietnam" Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, vol.10, no.2, 2022, pp.19-29. https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2022-0008

Sobala, Michał. "Landscape effects of conflicts in space management. A historical approach based on the Silesian and Żywiec Beskids (West Carpathians, Poland)" Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, vol.4, no.4, 2016, pp.51-60. https://doi.org/10.1515/environ-2016-0024

 

Author Response

Reply to the Reviewer Comments

Remark: We would like to thank you for your scholarly comments and suggestion to enrich the present manuscript.

In this article, the authors attempted to analyze land use changes in the northern part of India after the creation of the dam. The article is an interesting scientific study as it deals with the problem of climatic implications and environmental changes caused by anthropogenic changes in the terrain. After reading the text, however, a few questions arise:

What is the novelty of the knowledge in the presented article?

How the creation of new dams is justified in terms of natural and socio-economic reasons, e.g. in the context of their removal in other countries of the world, see:

Remark: The objective of this study is to analyse land use and land cover change and its impact on regional climate. There are many studies which have analysed the socio-ecological impact of dam. The present study highlights the relationship between land use and lands cover change its impact on the climate.

Habel, M., Mechkin, K., Podgorska, K. et al. Dam and reservoir removal projects: a mix of social-ecological trends and cost-cutting attitudes. Sci Rep 10, 19210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-76158-3

Remark: cited your suggested article.

Why the authors did not emphasize the negative consequences of the creation of dams?

Remark: Your question is very significant, but it is not related to the present study.

The article was not prepared in accordance with the journal's guidelines. The literature has been incorrectly cited throughout the article. Authors must read the guidelines carefully, correct the citation method, and arrange the references in the order in which they are cited.

The number of references to literature is not sufficient. Authors should consider extending the list of cited items, including those listed below:

Tuan, Nguyen Tran. "Urbanization and land use change: A study in Vietnam" Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, vol.10, no.2, 2022, pp.19-29. https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2022-0008

Sobala, Michał. "Landscape effects of conflicts in space management. A historical approach based on the Silesian and Żywiec Beskids (West Carpathians, Poland)" Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, vol.4, no.4, 2016, pp.51-60. https://doi.org/10.1515/environ-2016-0024

Remark: cited your suggested article.

 

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors,

This is the second revision of the manuscript, the authors attended to all the suggestions made. It presents a case study and, as far as I can be competent to judge, it is a good paper.

Reviewer 2 Report

All comments are completed.

Now this manucript is ready for publich.

Reviewer 3 Report

Most of my comments have been taken into account by the authors, so I believe that the article may be published in the current version.