The Impact of Catastrophic Floods on Macroinvertebrate Communities in Low-Order Streams: A Study from the Apennines (Northwest Italy)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have analyzed the impact of a catastrophic flood event on the macrobenthic community of a low-order Apennine stream (NW Italy). The most resilient organisms were identified, and the recovery time of macroinvertebrate community was determined. From 2018 to 2022, 12 sampling campaigns were carried out in three stations.

The methodology and the data analysis are explained in detail. The study shows a very interesting analysis of data of taxonomic metrics.

Comments

 The study should include the main physical and chemical characteristics of the three sampling stations on the different sampling dates. The limnological characteristics of the habitats have a great influence on the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages.

Line 210, "The taxonomic metrics did not vary significantly across the different sites: for this reason, the samples were analysed by grouping them by years".  What about the limnological characteristics?

Line 111, the Figure 1 was not included

Line 143, percentage of dominance of top 3 three taxa DOM-3. The name of taxa should be mentioned

Line 146, Tukey instead of Tuskey

Line 184, Figure 2a

Line 229, In Figure 4, What does mean PAR in legend?

Line 294-297, I agree with the authors because there are differences in the capacity for resilience or resistance between genus/species within the families analyzed here. Although in this study the analysis is at the family level, I consider that the results obtained are interesting because it provides information about the resilience capacity of each of the families and how the composition of the community can recover more quickly than the structure of the community.

This information is important because extreme flooding events are increasing due to the effects of global climate change.

Author Response

The study should include the main physical and chemical characteristics of the three sampling stations on the different sampling dates. The limnological characteristics of the habitats have a great influence on the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages ->Thank you for this useful suggestion. We agree and we added the main physical and chemical characteristics of the three sampling stations.

Line 210, "The taxonomic metrics did not vary significantly across the different sites: for this reason, the samples were analysed by grouping them by years".  What about the limnological characteristics? -> Thanks for this comment. We added this information in the results section

Line 111, the Figure 1 was not included -> Sorry, it was a mistake. We added the Figure.

Line 143, percentage of dominance of top 3 three taxa DOM-3. The name of taxa should be mentioned -> we corrected as suggested

Line 146, Tukey instead of Tuskey -> we corrected as suggested

Line 184, Figure 2a -> we corrected as suggested

Line 229, In Figure 4, What does mean PAR in legend? -> we added this info in the legend as suggested

Line 294-297, I agree with the authors because there are differences in the capacity for resilience or resistance between genus/species within the families analyzed here. Although in this study the analysis is at the family level, I consider that the results obtained are interesting because it provides information about the resilience capacity of each of the families and how the composition of the community can recover more quickly than the structure of the community. This information is important because extreme flooding events are increasing due to the effects of global climate change. -> thank you

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In my opinion, this work is quite interesting and deserves to be published with minor corrections! The text is written in a clear and readable English, as I can assess. Statistical analysis is detailed and adequate to the aims of authors.

I recommend make some corrections in the paper:

1. It will be good, add the map of the region in which the studied stream is located, as well as a detailed map of the watercourse with markings of sample collection stations.
2. In addition, in the case of meters square or cubic meters, ‘2’ and ‘3’ should be written in upper case, but not for example “m3/s” This mistake should be corrected throughout the text.

I recommend this manuscript for publication in “Water” after minor revision.

Author Response

 In my opinion, this work is quite interesting and deserves to be published with minor corrections! The text is written in a clear and readable English, as I can assess. Statistical analysis is detailed and adequate to the aims of authors -> thank you

I recommend make some corrections in the paper:

• It will be good, add the map of the region in which the studied stream is located, as well as a detailed map of the watercourse with markings of sample collection stations. -> we completely agree and we added a map showing the collection stations and the area.
• In addition, in the case of meters square or cubic meters, ‘2’ and ‘3’ should be written in upper case, but not for example “m3/s” This mistake should be corrected throughout the text. -> we corrected as suggested

I recommend this manuscript for publication in “Water” after minor revision. -> many thanks

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper is of interest undelying different response of macroinvertebrate families to catastophic floods; I suggest to submit another work considering a deeper taxonomic resolution (genera), but the present one is good for a first presentation  

Author Response

The paper is of interest undelying different response of macroinvertebrate families to catastophic floods; I suggest to submit another work considering a deeper taxonomic resolution (genera), but the present one is good for a first presentation  -> Thank you for you comment, we are in complete agreement. We also believe that this Ms can be a first step towards a better understanding of these phenomena and impacts. In future work, as suggested, we will try to explore this issue further by reaching the taxonomic level of genus.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

You need a reference for how you assigned species to "functional feeding groups". Is this based on your own experience or are you following a reference on feeding groups in particular invertebrates?

A map of the study area would be helpful.

Your citations for dates of references need to take a constant format--after the names of the authors, at the end of the citation, in brackets or not. Follow the system used in this journal.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English quality is sufficient.

Author Response

You need a reference for how you assigned species to "functional feeding groups". Is this based on your own experience or are you following a reference on feeding groups in particular invertebrates?-> Thank you, we agree and we added the following citation: Tachet H., Bournaud M., Richoux P. & Usseglio-Polatera P. Invertébrés d'eau douce: systématique, biologie, écologie. CNRS Editions, Paris, 588 p., 2002

A map of the study area would be helpful  -> Thank you, we agree and we added the map as suggested (Fig. 1)

Your citations for dates of references need to take a constant format-after the names of the authors, at the end of the citation, in brackets or not. Follow the system used in this journal -> We corrected as suggested.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have accepted the suggestions and the manuscript was improved.

Comments

Line 163, pH instead of ph