Transformations of Landscape Topography of the Bełchatów Coal Mine (Central Poland) and the Surrounding Area Based on DEM Analysis
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper topic is appropriate for the journal. Authors assessed the impact of open-pit mining on the landscape by using DEMs from different periods. The issue considered in the manuscript is very important to the geomorphometry community. However, the manuscript does not the high scientific level presented by the journal and authors will have to change their approach in order to justify the importance of their findings to the readership of IJGI
First, the experimental setup and methodology are not clearly defined. Also, the discussion of the results is inconsistent. Therefore, a considerable improvement of those sections should be taken into consideration before any further submission.
The paper has a substantial number of small typos and English language grammar errors that need editing.
Author Response
We would like to thank the reviewers for their comments to improve the paper. All the remarks were carefully addressed in the revised version of the manuscript. The paper was substantially rewritten following remarks of the reviewers. All changes were highlighted.
First, the experimental setup and methodology are not clearly defined. Also, the discussion of the results is inconsistent. Therefore, a considerable improvement of those sections should be taken into consideration before any further submission.The text has been changed in 2 chapters: 2. Materials and Methods and 4. Discussion
all changes were highlighted
The paper has a substantial number of small typos and English language grammar errors that need editing.Paper has been proofreaded by a professional academic proofreading service based in England, we have CERTIFICATE OF PROOFREADING. After the final determination of the text, if it continues to contain errors according to reviewers - we will send it again for review.
Reviewer 2 Report
This is an interesting manuscript concerning visualization and analysis of changes in the topography of an open coal mine. However, I have several remarks, which should be taken into account before the publication of this article.
1. To create a DEM for the pre-investment period, the authors used an old German military topographic map. However, this map was photogrammetrically produced from stereopairs. As far as we know, the archive of Luftwaffe aerial photographs is currently available, in particular, in the National Archives in Washington, DC. To create a DEM, it would be more correct to use original stereopairs rather than a topographic map.
2. Two thirds of references are Polish articles. This is unacceptable for a paper submitted to an international journal. In geomorphometry, there are a lot of relevant publications in English. It seems that the authors are poorly aware of international scientific literature.
3. This, in particular, is manifested in the erroneous interpretation of the term 'DTM' (p. 2 lines 78-86). The authors confused digital terrain model (DTM) with digital surface model (DSM). See the definitions of DEM, DTM, and DSM on page 78 in the book: Florinsky, I.V., 2016. Digital Terrain Analysis in Soil Science and Geology. 2nd ed. Amsterdam: Academic Press.
4. To define the land surface, the authors systematically use the word 'relief'. I would recommend the authors use the word 'topography'. For details of this terminological nuance, see page 5 in the book: Hengl, T., and Reuter, H.I. (Eds.), 2009. Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Author Response
We would like to thank the reviewers for their comments to improve the paper. All the remarks were carefully addressed in the revised version of the manuscript. The paper was substantially rewritten following remarks of the reviewers. All changes were highlighted.
To create a DEM for the pre-investment period, the authors used an old German military topographic map. However, this map was photogrammetrically produced from stereopairs. As far as we know, the archive of Luftwaffe aerial photographs is currently available, in particular, in the National Archives in Washington, DC. To create a DEM, it would be more correct to use original stereopairs rather than a topographic map.These maps are a reproduction of the pre-war maps of the Polish Military Geographic Institute. The picture of the Scherzau 1944 map presented in the drawing is identical to the Szczerców sheet from 1934. The drawing of the topography was created on the basis of painstaking geodetic measurements in the area. The authors chose reproduction as the source material due to the better condition and readability of the spirit levels.
http://polski.mapywig.org/viewpage.php?page_id=6
Krassowski, M. Tomaszewska, “MAPY TOPOGRAFICZNE ZIEM POLSKICH 1871 - 1945. tom I” Warszawa 1979
2.
Two thirds of references are Polish articles. This is unacceptable for a paper submitted to an international journal. In geomorphometry, there are a lot of relevant publications in English. It seems that the authors are poorly aware of international scientific literature.
After searching and analyzing the literature changes, there are 24 items, of which 10 are Polish-language items. Such a large number of them results from the specificity of studies on the Bełchatów coal mine and Polish historical maps are known to the authors only in Polish.
This, in particular, is manifested in the erroneous interpretation of the term 'DTM' (p. 2 lines 78-86). The authors confused digital terrain model (DTM) with digital surface model (DSM). See the definitions of DEM, DTM, and DSM on page 78 in the book: Florinsky, I.V., 2016. Digital Terrain Analysis in Soil Science and Geology. 2nded. Amsterdam: Academic Press.The text has been all changes were highlighted.
To define the land surface, the authors systematically use the word 'relief'. I would recommend the authors use the word 'topography'. For details of this terminological nuance, see page 5 in the book: Hengl, T., and Reuter, H.I. (Eds.), 2009. Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications. Amsterdam: Elsevier.Authors agree with the reviewer's proposal. After reading the recommended literature, we think Topography is a better term than relief.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
It is good to see this manuscript with improvement. However, before final publication it would be nice if the authors can consider some minor corrections.
>> The manuscript still has some typos and minor language errors. Few examples are given below, further improvement will enhance the quality of the manuscript.
>> Line 28 to 29: …and biosphere [1] In addition, opencast mining impacts on socio-economic components of the environment. => …and biosphere [1]. In addition, opencast mining has impacts on socio-economic components of the environment
>> Line 33: where the scale of changes => where the amount of changes
>> Line 38 to 40: Please re-write these lines to make it clear.
>> Line 59: studies by:[9][10] => studies by:[9][10]
>> Line 69: In order to perform topography analyses of a given area, an adequate set of data is required => Can be rephrased “In order to perform an analysis of the topography of a given area.”
>> Line 79 to 82: A good explanation of the difference between DEM, DSM, DTM can be found in the following literature:
Habib et al., (2017). Extraction and Accuracy Assessment of High Resolution DEM and Derived Orthoimages from ALOS-PRISM Data over Sahel-Doukkala (Morocco). Earth Science Informatics Florinsky (2012). Digital terrain analysis in soil science and geology. Li et al., (2005) Digital terrain modeling: Principales and Methodolgy.>> Line 101: DEM for area of analysis: DEM for the analyzed area
>> Line 86 to 87: Which interpolation algorithm was used for the current research? And why?
>> Line 98 to 99: Try to give the horizontal and vertical accuracy of the used topographic maps
>> Line 284 to 287: The reviewer doesn’t agree with the authors, because the histogram doesn’t show a great variation of aspects. Most aspects are toward North, NE and NW are shown, whereas, aspects towards are few and can be related to noise and artefacts.
>> Line 287 to 291: You didn’t mention aspects between 320 and 40 which show greater distribution. Try to add an analysis of that.
Author Response
We would like to thank the reviewer for their comments to improve the paper.
>> Line 28 to 29: …and biosphere [1] In addition, opencast mining impacts on socio-economic components of the environment. => …and biosphere [1]. In addition, opencast mining hasimpacts on socio-economic components of the environment
Done
>> Line 33: where the scale of changes => where the amount of changes
Done
>> Line 38 to 40: Please re-write these lines to make it clear.
Done
>> Line 59: studies by:[9][10] => studies by:[9][10]
Done
>> Line 69: In order to perform topography analyses of a given area, an adequate set of data is required => Can be rephrased “In order to perform an analysis of the topography of a given area.”
Done
>> Line 79 to 82: A good explanation of the difference between DEM, DSM, DTM can be found in the following literature:
Habib et al., (2017). Extraction and Accuracy Assessment of High Resolution DEM and Derived Orthoimages from ALOS-PRISM Data over Sahel-Doukkala (Morocco). Earth Science Informatics Florinsky (2012). Digital terrain analysis in soil science and geology. Li et al., (2005) Digital terrain modeling: Principales and Methodolgy.
Terms DEM, DTM, DSM were carefully reviewed based on article „Extraction and Accuracy Assessment of High Resolution DEM and Derived Orthoimages from ALOS-PRISM Data over Sahel-Doukkala (Morocco)”. The use of individual definitions has been adapted accordingly.
>> Line 101: DEM for area of analysis: DEM for the analyzed area
Done
>> Line 86 to 87: Which interpolation algorithm was used for the current research? And why?
We use type of interpolation Adjust. In earlier studies of historical polish maps, it gave the smallest RMS errors
http://rg.ptip.org.pl/index.php/rg/article/view/RG2013-4-JaskulskiLukasiewiczNalej/1521
>> Line 98 to 99: Try to give the horizontal and vertical accuracy of the used topographic maps
These maps are a reproduction of the pre-war maps of the Polish Military Geographic Institute. The picture of the Scherzau 1944 map presented in the drawing is identical to the Szczerców sheet from 1934. The drawing of the topography was created on the basis of painstaking geodetic measurements in the area. The authors chose reproduction as the source material due to the better condition and readability of the spirit levels. The horizontal accuracy of these maps is estimated as follows: 90% of points have accuracy on the map below 1mm. As for the vertical accuracy limits it is cut, contour maps amounting to 2.13 meters. The RMSE was 1.05 meters, roughly half the contour cut.
>> Line 284 to 287: The reviewer doesn’t agree with the authors, because the histogram doesn’t show a great variation of aspects. Most aspects are toward North, NE and NW are shown, whereas, aspects towards are few and can be related to noise and artefacts.
>> Line 287 to 291: You didn’t mention aspects between 320 and 40 which show greater distribution. Try to add an analysis of that.
Our attention has been paid about possibiltiy of noise and the fact that histogram doesn`t show a great variation of aspects. Analysis were changed accordingly. The authors tried to draw attention to the possibility of making such an analysis when examining changes in terrain, without going into detail because of the limited size of the study.
Reviewer 2 Report
Good paper, now it can be published.
Author Response
We would like to sincerely thank the reviewer for the positive review.
