Fire from the Sky in the Anthropocene
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments:
The subject matter of this article is a fascinating event in fire research, and however, the current version of this article is suffering from some minor shortcomings. Hence, the current version of this article MUST be modified based on the recommendations as listed below:
- The ‘self-supporting summary (SSS)’ of an entire study is the ‘abstract’. Without SSS, the abstract is not complete. Suppose the potential readers go through this SSS. In that case, they can easily understand all events as stated here: (i) the subject matter of the study, (ii) employed methodologies, (iii) research findings (usually it is indicated in the conclusion), (iv) future directions (this is also added after the closing) for the further study (if any), and so forth. Therefore, it is highly recommended to revise the current version of this ‘abstract’ as stated above.
- The ‘conclusion’ is another vital part of a research article. Unfortunately, in this article, the ‘conclusion’ part is missing. Therefore, the section: ‘3. Current and future global challenges’ MUST be divided into two parts as the ‘conclusion’ and ‘future global challenges (or, future directions for further research, and its associated challenges)’. This is a mandatory event to include the ‘conclusion’ part in this article.
Author Response
Reply to Reviewer 1
The ‘self-supporting summary (SSS)’ of an entire study is the ‘abstract’. Without SSS, the abstract is not complete. Suppose the potential readers go through this SSS. In that case, they can easily understand all events as stated here: (i) the subject matter of the study, (ii) employed methodologies, (iii) research findings (usually it is indicated in the conclusion), (iv) future directions (this is also added after the closing) for the further study (if any), and so forth. Therefore, it is highly recommended to revise the current version of this ‘abstract’ as stated above.
R: Note that our work is a Perspective. Therefore it does not necessarily follow the structure of a typical research study. Nonetheless we consider that the Abstract is representative of the text.
The ‘conclusion’ is another vital part of a research article. Unfortunately, in this article, the ‘conclusion’ part is missing. Therefore, the section: ‘3. Current and future global challenges’ MUST be divided into two parts as the ‘conclusion’ and ‘future global challenges (or, future directions for further research, and its associated challenges)’. This is a mandatory event to include the ‘conclusion’ part in this article.
R: For the same reasons stated above we don't need to abide to standards. We just changed the title by adding Conclusion to it.
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a nice perspective focussed on the Iberian Peninsula, although while there is discussion of a worldwide perspective--it is not very clear and the data shown aren't very convincing (e.g. Fig. 2). I feel as a perspective paper, this manuscript warrants publication following minor revision. See minor comments:
Line 40: use “small” rather than “minor”?
Line 53: replace “indexes” with “indices”
Line 74: “when air temperature fosters the development of convection processes and lightning activity [18,19] and dry conditions diminish litter and duff moisture contents, where fire typically ignites [20].”
Air temperature isn’t the core driver of convection processes. I would state atmospheric instability and mid-level moisture. Increased summer temperatures do drive drying of fuels, but you need to get the meteorology correct.
Line 81: “…and from them…” awkward. Please rephrase.
Author Response
This is a nice perspective focussed on the Iberian Peninsula, although while there is discussion of a worldwide perspective--it is not very clear and the data shown aren't very convincing (e.g. Fig. 2). I feel as a perspective paper, this manuscript warrants publication following minor revision.
R: Thanks. Figure 2 is just a suggestion of increased incidence of LCF in the Iberian context, as such trend is being pointed out for several countries/regions.
See minor comments:
Line 40: use “small” rather than “minor”?
R: Done.
Line 53: replace “indexes” with “indices”
R: Done.
Line 74: “when air temperature fosters the development of convection processes and lightning activity [18,19] and dry conditions diminish litter and duff moisture contents, where fire typically ignites [20].”
Air temperature isn’t the core driver of convection processes. I would state atmospheric instability and mid-level moisture. Increased summer temperatures do drive drying of fuels, but you need to get the meteorology correct.
R: Thanks for the comment. We rephrased to:
" ... when atmospheric instability and mid-level moisture foster the development of convection processes and lightning activity [18,19] and litter and duff moisture contents are diminished by drought [20]."
Line 81: “…and from them…” awkward. Please rephrase.
R: "from them" was deleted.
Reviewer 3 Report
This is not a scientific article but a "perspective". The subject is original and very interesting to study. I encourage the authors to continue researching this topic. The originality lies in the fact that in many places on the planet forest fires caused by natural causes are not taken into account, sometimes it does not matter, it is easier to say that they are human causes. Management and extinction strategies, if what the authors argue is true, should vary in many countries.
It is also interesting that the authors investigate more the relationship between climate change and the fact that there are more ignitions by lightning.
Also know exactly, which are the fires caused by lightning that burn more surface. Or, this is due to, of what they argue, that they are in a situation of more dryness and increased fuel. There are, therefore, many variables to take into account. The authors say that forest management is important, which I believe is necessary.
I think that if this publication is an advance of a more complex future investigation it is interesting.
At the moment the authors are based on bibliography.
Author Response
Reply to reviewer 3 comments
This is not a scientific article but a "perspective". The subject is original and very interesting to study. I encourage the authors to continue researching this topic. The originality lies in the fact that in many places on the planet forest fires caused by natural causes are not taken into account, sometimes it does not matter, it is easier to say that they are human causes. Management and extinction strategies, if what the authors argue is true, should vary in many countries.
It is also interesting that the authors investigate more the relationship between climate change and the fact that there are more ignitions by lightning.
Also know exactly, which are the fires caused by lightning that burn more surface. Or, this is due to, of what they argue, that they are in a situation of more dryness and increased fuel. There are, therefore, many variables to take into account. The authors say that forest management is important, which I believe is necessary.
I think that if this publication is an advance of a more complex future investigation it is interesting.
At the moment the authors are based on bibliography.
R: We thank reviewer 3 for the positive comments.
