Dear Mr. Larsen,

I had a close look at your submission, the reviewer comments and your responses to the reviews. I agree with both reviewers, (who are by the way leading experts in coupled land surface modelling), that your study is potentially of high interest as it addresses a major gap in environmental modelling. Such pioneering work hast naturally to face many problems, which are usually kept under the carpet, when modelers work in their respective paradigms.
A good example brought up by reviewer 2 is how far Monin Obhukov similarity applies here, which has not been developed to account for land surface – atmosphere feedbacks, but to parameterize the land surface as a lower boundary condition.

It is thus not too surprising that both reviewers recommend revisions – this is however done in a very constructive manner asking mostly for better explanations and clarifications, rather than doubting the potential value of your study. In case their points get properly addressed along the lines you already blueprinted in your responses to the reviews, I am confident that the study will make its way into HESS.

Best regards,

Erwin Zehe

Dear Mr. Larsen,


I am pleased to tell you that both reviewers recommend only minor revisions your study. Please address these minor commends and technical point, for a final approval from my side.

Best regards,

Erwin Zehe

Dear Mr. Larsen,

I am delighted to accept the present form of this manuscript for publication in HESS.

Best regards,

Erwin Zehe