Electrical Responses of Pinus halepensis Mill. as an Indicator of Wildfire Risk in Mediterranean Forests by Complementing Live Fuel Moisture

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

It is important not to state that there is a high correlation of the studied variables with the wildfire risk because the value of this correlation was not presented, it was only observed empirically.

Linear correlation does not work for the variables in question, it is important for authors to look out for nonlinear correlation or some other metric to measure the “correlation” of the short circuit voltage and current with FWI;

Regarding references, I recommend expanding the research with articles on wildfire risks that use mathematical tools – for example, similarity measures - that can be used in this work.

I suggest the authors to identify the statistical significance of the ISC for the study.

Author Response

Point 1: It is important not to state that there is a high correlation of the studied variables with the wildfire risk because the value of this correlation was not presented, it was only observed empirically.

Response 1: We want to thank the reviewer’s comments since those are helping us improve the work. We added to the manuscript Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient. We have conserved the expression “high correlation” based on the statistical analysis and the new reference added: (Mukaka, Mavuto M. "A guide to appropriate use of correlation coefficient in medical research.”)

 

Point 2: Linear correlation does not work for the variables in question, it is important for authors to look out for nonlinear correlation or some other metric to measure the “correlation” of the short circuit voltage and current with FWI.

Response 2: We based our conclusion on Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient. But is true that we did not explain this point enough in the first version of the manuscript. And now we change this section to explain it appropriately.

 

Point 3: Regarding references, I recommend expanding the research with articles on wildfire risks that use mathematical tools – for example, similarity measures - that can be used in this work.

Response 3: We have carried out a thorough bibliographic search on this subject, as well as consultation with different experts in the field. We were able to find different works on the electrical activity in trees and others on the calculation of fire risks, but unfortunately, we have not been able to find works that show mathematical tools that combine the two themes. We appreciate that if the reviewer knows any appropriate reference to the subject, they will provide it to us, for the development of future works.

 

Point 4: I suggest the authors to identify the statistical significance of the ISC for the study.

Response 4: Our results demonstrate that both electrical signals measured (V and ISC) show a noticeable reduction during the summer period, reaching the minimum values on the days in which the FWI in the pilot stand was classified as extreme. However, the results for V are clearer and robust than the results obtained for ISC, that is the reason voltage is preferred over ISC for the main idea of the article.

 

We would like to appreciate the fair and constructive of your comments, which helped us to clarify and highlight the contribution of our manuscript.

 

We attach a copy of the manuscript highlighting the changes based on your comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper titled “Electrical responses of Pinus halepensis Mill. as an indicator of  wildfire risk in Mediterranean forests by complementing live fuel moisture.” presents a good topic. Below some minor corrections that need to be corrected.

-        Line 14, change these into this

The introduction should be improved

-        This sentence should be improved, for this reason, it should be complemented with other variables for fire risk management models.

-        L39-40, the sentence needs rewriting

-        Delete (California; Central Chile; the Mediterranean Basin; the Cape Region of South Africa; and South-western and South Australia)

-        I suggest rewrite lines 54-57. (On this background, the relationship between meteorological extreme conditions and live fuel moisture is a key research topic in the complex field of fire ecology [11-21], also integrating innovative technologies, especially remote sensing [22-31] and machine learning [32-34]). Because there is no solid link between these two ideas.

-        Improve english in sentance , lines 97-98.

-        Line 150, change first study into first stage

 

Good luck

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

 

Point 1: Line 14, change these into this

Response 1: We have proceed as suggested.

 

Point 2: The introduction should be improved

Response 2: Following the reviewer’s recommendation, we have made some changes to the introduction to improve it.

 

Point 3: This sentence should be improved, for this reason, it should be complemented with other variables for fire risk management models.

Response 3: We have modified the sentence trying to improve it.

 

Point 4: L39-40, the sentence needs rewriting

Response 4: We have rewritten the sentence for a better understanding..

 

Point 5: Delete (California; Central Chile; the Mediterranean Basin; the Cape Region of South Africa; and South-western and South Australia)

Response 5: We have proceed as suggested.

 

Point 6: I suggest rewrite lines 54-57. (On this background, the relationship between meteorological extreme conditions and live fuel moisture is a key research topic in the complex field of fire ecology [11-21], also integrating innovative technologies, especially remote sensing [22-31] and machine learning [32-34]). Because there is no solid link between these two ideas.

Response 6: We appreciate the reviewer’s suggestion and therefore we have rephrased the sentences.

 

Point 7: Improve english in sentance, lines 97-98

Response 7: We have modified the sentence trying to improve the English.

 

Point 8: Line 150, change first study into first stage

Response 8: We have proceed as suggested.

 

We would like to appreciate the fair and constructive of your comments, which helped us to clarify and highlight the contribution of our manuscript.

 

We attach a copy of the manuscript highlighting the changes based on your comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

the authors improved the explanations about the correlation index used, in this way the article is approved to publication.