Opportunities and Challenges Arising from Rapid Cryospheric Changes in the Southern Altai Mountains, China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper presents an opportunities and challenges arising from rapid cryospheric changes in the southern Altai Mountains (SAM) of China. Authors systematically investigate historical cryospheric changes and possible trends in the SAM and also discover the opportunities and challenges on regional water resources management arising from these changes. The paper reads well and can be accepted after below minor revision. See the below: 

• What is the justification for the data range for example, daily air temperature and precipitation measurements during 1961-2015, monthly discharge measurements spanning the period 1957–2015 and monthly water level of Ulungur Lake between 1992 and 2016.
• Line 102: It would be better if you can rename as "Data and Methods" and then 2.1 Study area, 2.2 Data sources and 2.3 Methods
•  As per pervious comment, add a section "Methods".
• Section 4.2: Make the subsection instead of bolding. See line 375, 384, 400 and 410
• Same comment as above one, see line 433, 444, 456

Author Response

please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This is an excellent paper .  The citations to existing knowledge is very extensive and up to date.  The trends identified are important and the recommendations for further research and changes to water management are sound.   I strongly support publication of the paper as soon as possible.

Author Response

Thank you very much for reviewing this manuscript and your positive comment. We look forward to publishing our articles in Applied Sciences as soon as possible. Thanks again!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors,

The article is concerned about the opportunities and challenges of cryospheric changes for an important region of the world. The format of text is clearly set out and flowing including comprehensible Figures. There are a large number of references cited including recent papers that are distinctly backing up each section. The manuscript also has good command of English language.

I have marked some comments/suggestions on the attached pdf which could improve the manuscript.

My main comments are on Figure 1 stations to have an additional Table.

A few comments need to be corrected in hydrological processes section 4.1, where the compared two basins need to be clarified in terms of runoff response.

Section 4.2 needs more detail especially in terms of water structures (their current state as well as future plans to a certain degree) to be more understandable and conclusive.

A few corrections to be made within the references.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf