Quantitative Estimation of the Effects of Soil Moisture on Temperature Using a Soil Water and Heat Coupling Model

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper is well written and contents reflect a lot of work done by a strong team of authors (15 or so) with background in several academic disciplines working together to develop coupling models that will help us understand the sensitivity of atmospheric temperature to soil moisture status. Paper concept is excellent and models seem to have potential in crop production in agro-ecosystems around the world. Please note some edits as attached. I am not well versed in modelling and therefore wish to express my inability to validate the various modelling equations presented by the authors. An expert in this area would be needed to help confirm the authors' propositions here.   

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This study proposed a soil water and heat coupling model to simulate the soil temperature and moisture and subsequently to estimate the effects of the soil moisture. However, this study failed to give the detailed information about the data that was used to test the model. Furthermore, the justification for the need of the development of this new model over the existing models still need to be improved to highlight the significant of this study. In general the background of the study dwells much on the changes in soil moisture and temperature in context of climate change which is not focus of the current study. Hence, background should be refined to be more relevant to the context of the current study. The other comments are in the attached documment.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx