Irrigation Water in Northwest Syria: Impact of the Recent Crisis and Drought

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors, I was motivated to correct the article because I believe that there is a need for this kind of studies that warn about crises in agriculture related to irrigation water. This can help researchers to focus their studies, for example to alleviate salinity problems, more efficient irrigation management in terms of water and fertilisers used; technology companies to put on the market irrigation materials and equipment that meet the needs; politicians to identify basic needs for the welfare of the people; and also farmers, to choose well when to plant and what crop to plant.

I believe that the work done is worthwhile and should be published. However, there are things that could be improved.

- First, please pay more attention to the writing. There are many sentences with text that repeats ‘aligns with’, there are dots followed by words that are not capitalised, after a colon, capital letters are used, the word ‘references’ in the text. And above all, when reading the text, sometimes the percentages you give are not clear what they refer to, and I think you should fix this so that the reader knows what is being said. For example, and there are many, ‘Irrigated summer vegetable cultivation was concentrated in the Al-Bab, Azaz, Jebel Saman, Ariha, and Harim districts (100%)...’ Does this mean that 100% of those interviewed in that area cultivated in summer and with irrigation? That's fine, but the important thing is what area they cultivated. In many places when there is a shortage of water for irrigation, one of the main strategies to cope with this water shortage is to reduce the area under cultivation. Hence, it is crucial to know what you are talking about, maybe all farmers plant and irrigate in summer, but whether the area is small or large, the study should notice it. In Material and Methods the first paragraph is more of an introduction. In table 3, what is the difference between ‘Winter crops’ and ‘Winter vegetables’? The number to the lines of text should have been provided.

- Secondly, you refer to the results referring to before or after 2011. This is very vague for a scientific article. There was a drought crisis between 2006 and 2009, and from 2011 onwards a war started?, why don't you specify how much before 2011 and how much after 2011 you are referring to, why don't you comment on what happened before 2011? It would be nice to have a graph with precipitation representing the regions studied. An example that is understood, ‘62% of the surveyed population confirmed that drought has affected the migration of people while 32% reported no effects’.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Without being an expert in English, as it is not my language, more attention should be paid to the writing and care should be taken with capital letters and repetitive sentences.v

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript does an interesting job demonstrating an Irrigation Water in Northwest Syria: Impact of the Recent Crisis and Drought. The study presents a novel and original examination of the changes in arable and irrigated areas in Northwest Syria, with a particular focus on the processes affecting cultivation and water availability since 2011. This research is both timely and significant, addressing critical issues that have profound implications for agricultural productivity and water management in a region severely impacted by conflict and environmental challenges. The paper stands out for its comprehensive analysis of 502 samples from a diverse range of stakeholders, including farmers, well owners, well-digging companies, agricultural pharmacies, and service offices. This extensive data collection provides a robust foundation for understanding the multifaceted impacts on agriculture in Northwest Syria. The district-specific variations in cultivated and irrigated areas, as well as the detailed examination of irrigation sources and challenges, offer new insights that are not only academically valuable but also practically relevant for practitioners.

The importance of this study cannot be overstated. Agriculture is a cornerstone of livelihoods in Northwest Syria, and the findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to support this sector. The paper effectively underscores the critical issues of water scarcity, high irrigation costs, and the socio-economic impacts of drought and conflict. By identifying the main obstacles to agricultural productivity and proposing actionable solutions, the study provides a valuable roadmap for sustainable water management and agricultural support in the region. Therefore, this manuscript in the current format will be suitable for publication in water journal.

Author Response

No comments from the reviewer 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper examines the impact of Syria's conflict and drought on irrigation in Northwest Syria. The research reveals a 15.3% decrease in cultivated lands and an 8.5% reduction in irrigated areas, while groundwater wells became the primary irrigation source. The study highlights socioeconomic challenges and calls for urgent water management interventions.

This study effectively combines quantitative data with qualitative assessments to understand the decline in agriculture in Northwest Syria since 2011. Its use of a significant sample size (502 participants) provides robust insights into the impact of conflict and drought on irrigation systems. However, the paper could benefit from a more detailed exploration of how local governance structures influence water resource management. While the challenges are well-documented, the study's recommendations, such as promoting alternative energy sources and improving irrigation infrastructure, could be more actionable with specific case studies from comparable regions. Additionally, although the paper stresses the importance of groundwater reliance, the discussion on sustainable groundwater use feels underdeveloped. Addressing the long-term viability of this resource is critical for crafting holistic solutions. The study's strength lies in identifying critical issues, but its conclusions would benefit from a clearer articulation of the political and institutional frameworks required to address these challenges.

Concerning the literature, the work of Marwa Daoudy should be reviewed and included; also the work chapter by Oxford scholars Jalani, Marwan Safar,et al. "The politics of water in the case of Syria." New Perspectives on Transboundary Water Governance: 99-109 would be useful.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Looks better