Aeolian Sand Sorting and Soil Moisture in Arid Namibian Fairy Circles

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript investigated Aeolian interaction within the fairy circles in the extreme Namib 

Desert. This study is of significance and within the scope of Land. However, several concerns should be solved before accepting the manuscript.

1.The abstract lacks the purpose and significance of the research. It is recommended to supplement the purpose and significance of the research in the first sentence of the abstract

2.The introduction is a bit confusing. Currently, there is a lack of content on the research background and current research status, and most of it is based on accepting real-life situations.

3.The location information in Figure 3 is missing key information such as longitude and latitude. Please ask the author to supplement the corresponding content.

4.There are too many images in the results and analysis, it is recommended to delete some of them. Many of the content lacks summary and only describes the phenomenon.

5.The conclusion and discussion suggestions should be separated. Currently, the discussion is not thorough enough. It is recommended to have a detailed discussion on these phenomena and the underlying reasons behind them.

6.The conclusion should be modified to show novel conclusions and research significance. Please revised it.

7.Line 260, is human activity the only reason for this difference?

8.3.Lines 268-274, These formulas are recommended to be included in the Materials and Methods section.

9.Figure 9 is not very clear and needs to be redrawn.

Author Response

See the attached document.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

There are a few comments and points to enhance your manuscript, so it is advisable to incorporate them during your revision process.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

See the attached file. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is entitled " Aeolian interaction within the fairy circles in the extreme Namib  Desert”. Manuscript Number land-2767271. Generally, it is a very interesting effort to analyze the fairy circles in the extreme Namib Desert. The topic is interesting and in line with the scope of the journal. The manuscript carried out a proper literature review and adapted the appropriate methodology. However, I have specific questions/ proposals about this approach.

-    Have authors investigated soil salinity, soil temperature, and pH between the fairy circles and the sparse vegetation?
-    Do authors analyze satellite images (e.g. Sentinel 2 – spatial resolution 10 X 10m) in these areas to identify differences?
-    I propose to include a flowchart diagram with the main steps in methodology.
-    Please define the dry years in this effort due to it is not reliable the term of drought in desert conditions.
-    Do the authors examine the linear multi-regression between Soil Water Content (dependent variable) and the grain size distribution, D50, and Hydraulic conductivity as independent variables?
-    Also, it is suggested to avoid using the first person "we" because it generally creates less formal language.
The current manuscript could be published in the Land Journal but needs further analysis (if possible) in the statistical analysis process. Thus, it is recommended that an integrated revision. The current methodology could benefit the fairy circles in deserts.

Author Response

See our answers in the attached file. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

It is recommended that the manuscript be accepted