Effects of Cropland Expansion on Temperature Extremes in Western India from 1982 to 2015

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Overall this paper is represents a very interesting application of new large-scale global high spatial (for the large extent of the study) and temporal resolution analyses the likes which have only recently been made possible. The results are very interesting in terms of the identifying that increased crop production has resulting in an increase in extremes in temperature.

Overall the study was well written structured and generally well presented. The figures were also very high quality. Although I am not an expert in climatology, from a general remote sensing perspective the paper looked very close to "Accept in present form".

There were only occasional word choice issues (I spotted a few examples in the attached). 

Some minor comments about the figures:

Figure 1 should include some sort of outlining describing what is represented by western India.

Figure 4 - could be improved. Perhaps just make smaller

Figure 5 - like figure 4 make smaller.

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The title of the manuscript (MS) deals with "Effects of cropland expansion on temperature extremes in western India from 1982 to 2015". While the topic is very interesting and important, the MS needs more work to be considered for publication. However, in order to improve this article, I suggest the authors consider the following comments:

The Abstract should be re-written/re-organized.
"Usually, it is one paragraph of 300 words or less, the major aspects of the entire paper in a prescribed sequence that includes: 1) the overall purpose of the study and the research problem(s) you investigated; 2) the basic design of the study; 3) major findings or trends found as a result of your analysis; and, 4) a brief summary of your interpretations and conclusions."
Also, the objectives should be presented briefly and concisely. Well-defined research objectives will help the readers to clearly understand the study.

"In the "Introduction" section, this section can be improved to provide further background and include all relevant references. There is a need that you will use recent publications on the topic to make attractive your research.

In the "Materials and Methods" section, Figure 1. The map is too simplistic. The authors should add which coordinate system (projection, ellipsoid, and datum) is used here (see the example below).
Please include all the spatial reference properties see the example below:
Projected Coordinate System: WGS_1984_UTM_Zone_21N
Projection: Transverse Mercator
Linear Unit: Meter
Geographic Coordinate System: GCS_WGS_1984
Datum: D_WGS_1984
Prime Meridian: Greenwich
Angular Unit: Degree

Also. please add graticules to a map (horizontal "x" and vertical "y", right and the bottom, OR left and top)

In addition, I strongly recommend to the authors devise a flowchart that depicts the steps that they have processed in this study.

In the "Results/Discussions" sections, the authors must extend these sections. (I recommend increasing the number of Scientific articles cited, especially to compare the study context with similar studies). Most importantly in the "Discussion" section, the authors should talk about the applicability of this method to another case study abroad. What are the mandatory prerequisites? Is it applicable worldwide?

In the "Conclusion" section, "state the most important outcome of your work. Do not simply summarize the points already made in the body. Instead, interpret your findings at a higher level of abstraction. Show whether, or to what extent, you have succeeded in addressing the need stated in the Introduction". In this section, describe how a previously identified gap in the literature has been filled by your research (demonstrate the importance of your idea). Elaborate on the impact and significance of your findings. Finally, introduce possible new or expanded ways of thinking about the research problem based on the results.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The article presents some very interesting issues.

Specific comments follow:

rows 117-118: values of Evapotranspiration are downloaded or calculated? It seems ERA5 has only evaporation

rows 137-138: it is not clea what "regions" are (administrative? geographical?)

row 176: Please explain better what is and the bounderies of "dashed rectangular"

rows 97-98: It would be appreciated to show the data of some other areas not chosen to justify the choice of focusing on Western India

rows 238-242: please explain deeper the "other factors"

rows 272 and 279: It would be important to understand the data "not shown"

rows 283-284: are there more references on regional climate conditions in order to give more strenght to this statement?

 

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you for the thorough consideration of my comments, and the excellent additions to the manuscript.

Author Response

Thank you for your great comments and support.