Sustainable Adaptation Plan in Response to Climate Change and Population Growth in the Iraqi Part of Tigris River Basin

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors In the manuscript I do not find any obvious mistakes or things to correct or question the analyses, it is an original study, very specific, only in my opinion the analyzes are somewhat one-sided in terms of the selection of methods and research techniques, which makes the whole study ordinary, average. At the same time, the authors obviously have the potential to come up with a much more complex work that would advance the field and scientific research in it. But the work is definitely worth publishing, and that is why I recommend the manuscript to be published in this form as well. It is certainly not the last word of the authors.    

 

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

All your comments were answered. We inserted brief text as per your request due to the limited number of words.

Kind regards

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript "Sustainable Adaptation Plan in Response to Climate Change and Population Growth in the Iraqi Part of Tigris River Basin"  presents a detailed analysis of water resources in the Tigris River Basin, considering climate change and population growth. Their research offers valuable insights into adaptation strategies, improvements are needed in clarity, quality, and some novelty/contribution. Based on my review, the manuscript is recommended for acceptance after major revisions. Please find below some questions and comments that must be addressed before considering the paper to be accepted.

Could you clarify the methodology used for data collection and analysis?

Please comment on the potential socioeconomic and political factors influencing water management in the Tigris River Basin.

Any discussion on study uncertainties and limitations?

How do conflicts or geopolitical tensions impact water resources in the region?

Could the authors elaborate on the implications of their findings for policy and decision-making in water resource management?

Please consider providing more context on the specific adaptation strategies considered in the study and their feasibility in the TRB.

In my opinion, the manuscript would benefit from a clearer explanation of the criteria used for scenario selection and analysis.

Do the authors think that integrating some stakeholder perspectives or expert opinions would enhance the onclusions of their manuscript? If not agree, that is fine, but please comment.

In my opinion, the manuscript would benefit from a more explicit discussion of the implications of different climate change scenarios on water availability and demand.

Also, please also consider discussing the potential trade-offs and synergies between different adaptation measures identified in the study.

Clarify technical terms and acronyms.

Please comment on the possibility of providing additional details on the validation of model outputs and assumptions.

Would it be possible to consider including more recent data or updates on climate change projections? Or the research doesn't have it available. PLease comment.

How does your study address potential biases or limitations in the data sources used for analysis?

Please consider revising the language in certain sections for clarity and coherence.

Provide information on spatial and temporal scales considered.

Did the authors consider how their study accounts for potential interactions between climate change impacts and other environmental stressors in the region of TRB?

Too many self-citations? I counted 7 at least: [10], [19], [21], [23], [34] [40], [50]

 

[10] M. S. Al-Khafaji and R. A. Al-Ameri, “Evaluation of drought indices correlation for drought frequency analysis of the Mosul 436 dam watershed,” IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 779, no. 1, 2021, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/779/1/012077.

[19] M. S. Al-Khafaji and R. D. Al-Chalabi, “Assessment and mitigation of streamflow and sediment yield under climate change 455 conditions in Diyala River Basin, Iraq,” Hydrology, vol. 6, no. 3, 2019, doi: 10.3390/hydrology6030063.

[21] F. H. Saeed, M. S. Al-Khafaji, and F. Al-Faraj, “Hydrologic response of arid and semi-arid river basins in Iraq under a changing 459 climate,” J. Water Clim. Chang., vol. 00, no. 0, pp. 1–16, 2022, doi: 10.2166/wcc.2022.418.

[23] F. H. Saeed and M. S. and F. A. M. A.-F. Al-khafaji, “Sensitivity of Irrigation Water Requirement to Climate Change in Arid 463 and Semi-Arid Regions towards Sustainable Management of Water Resources,” 2021.

[34] A. Nasser Hilo, F. H. Saeed, and N. Al-Ansari, “Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources of Dokan Dam Watershed,” 489 Engineering, vol. 11, no. 08, pp. 464–474, 2019, doi: 10.4236/eng.2019.118033.

[40] F. A. M. Al-Faraj and D. Tigkas, “Impacts of Multi-year Droughts and Upstream Human-Induced Activities on the 501 Development of a Semi-arid Transboundary Basin,” Water Resour. Manag., vol. 30, no. 14, pp. 5131–5143, 2016, doi: 502 10.1007/s11269-016-1473-9.

[50] F. H. Saeed, M. S. Al-Khafaji, and F. A. Al-Faraj, “Spatiotemporal hydroclimatic characteristics of arid and semi-arid river 523 basin under climate change: a case study of Iraq,” Arab. J. Geosci., vol. 15, no. 14, pp. 1–12, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s12517-022-10548-524 x.

 

 

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

Almost, all your comments are provided benefit to the manuscript. We added brief text as editing because of the limited number of words. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript presents a comprehensive study on the sustainability adaptation plan in response to climate change and population growth in the Iraqi part of the Tigris River Basin. It leverages a robust methodological framework employing SWAT, LARS-WG, CROPWAT-8, and WEAP models to project future scenarios of water resource availability and demand. The significance of the study is underscored by its timely focus on a critical issue affecting water resources management in a region vulnerable to climate change and rapid population growth.

 

1. The introduction part should be improved by adding more content about present studies and elaborate the gap which this study solved more detailed.

2. Line 108, should be Section 2.2, and so on.

3. In the methodology part and Figure 2. I don’t know the exact location and range of Upper Tigris Watershed (UTW), Greater Zab Watershed (GZW), Dukan Dam Watershed (DKW), Dibis Barrage Watershed (DBW), Adhiam Dam Watershed (ADW), Darbandikhan Dam Watershed (DRW) and Hemrin Dam watershed (HDW). It should be shown in Figure 1 or which hydrological station is their corresponding control section.

4. I did not see the calibration and validation of the hydrological model. Please clarify it in the manuscript.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

All your comments were considered and the draft was edited based on your 1st comment.

Kind regards

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Some minor comments.

Line 20, 162. RP needs to be decrypted.

Line 53. in the stream

Line 291. in the stream

Line 362. and many governmental buildings.

Line 362. coming from rivers

Line 379. decreasing

Line 382. has negative impact

Line 387. “of increase” increase

Line 390-391. a real threat to the sustainability of the water resources

Line 393. Increased water use

Line 394. plans are restricted

Line 396. of the current stage.

Line 397. adaptation plans

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for the valuable improvement of our manuscript writing.

Kind Regards

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

It could be accepted.