Dear Prof. Dr. M. Levent Kavvas and Co-Authors,

Thank you very much for your responses to the referee reports in the Interactive Discussion stage, and again for the good diligences in response to the initial editorial access review.

The merits of your manuscript have been highlighted in both referee reports, issued by highly qualified peers in relevant scientific fields. Their evaluation, your responses and my own judgment lead me to the decision to publish the manuscript subject to minor revisions - addressing in particular the concerns and diligences discussed during the review process.

I look forward to the revised version.

With kindest regards,

Rui Perdigão

Dear Prof. Dr. Kavvas an Co-Authors,
Thank you very much for aptly addressing the raised questions and diligently preparing a revised version of the manuscript. The work addresses a highly relevant problem, provides solid and detailed formal developments, further complemented by a thorough discussion with broad interdisciplinary relevance. Therefore, I hereby welcome the manuscript for final publication at Earth System Dynamics. Congratulations.
With very best wishes,
Rui Perdigão
(ESD Editor)