The above-mentioned article focuses on a topic that has received little attention to date, namely the influence of intensive grazing by mobile livestock farming (1), the effects on vegetation (2) and on the soil (3) as well as the resulting changes in permafrost (4). This is demonstrated in two local examples using series of measurements over a period of 14 months in two different exposures.

However, the title of the article is misleading in that the reader would expect generally valid statements for the whole of Mongolia. I would therefore strongly recommend adapting the title accordingly and also pointing out the limited duration of the measurements.

1. Does the paper address relevant scientific questions within the scope of BG? YES
2. Does the paper present novel concepts, ideas, tools, or data? NO
3. Are substantial conclusions reached? NO
4. Are the scientific methods and assumptions valid and clearly outlined? YES
5. Are the results sufficient to support the interpretations and conclusions? YES
6. Is the description of experiments and calculations sufficiently complete and precise to allow their reproduction by fellow scientists (traceability of results)? YES
7. Do the authors give proper credit to related work and clearly indicate their own new/original contribution? YES
8. Does the title clearly reflect the contents of the paper? NO
9. Does the abstract provide a concise and complete summary? YES
10. Is the overall presentation well structured and clear? YES
11. Is the language fluent and precise? YES
12. Are mathematical formulae, symbols, abbreviations, and units correctly defined and used? YES
13. Should any parts of the paper (text, formulae, figures, tables) be clarified, reduced, combined, or eliminated? Partly, see my comment
14. Are the number and quality of references appropriate? YES
15. Is the amount and quality of supplementary material appropriate? YES

This paper discuss the grazing impacts on ground thermal conditions using onsite ground surface measurement,  and snow and vegetation surveys. Writing style is well organized and text is understandable. Also the author's discussion and conclusion are consistent with the measurements, then I would recommend this acceptance after following revisions.   

Methods

Resolution of GST measurements: the sensor accuracy is 0.5degree, is this enough to support your discussion?

Your open site is just outside of the fence,  where snow accumulation could be influenced wind disturbance of the fence and differ from site far from the fence. 

Can you show the location of vegetation, LAT and snow surveys on the map(Figure 1) ?

Snow was measured only in one day. Did snowfall. clearing animal footprints, occurr before this day?  

Results

Consider the difference in daily cycles of GST at fenced and open sites?

L235 doubled 'Figure 7'

L248 doubled 'Figure9'

Discussion

L313-320 This part is just summary of previous chapter, and could be shortened or omitted. 

L335 could be 'Grazing and snow impcat on ground surface temperatures'

L364-366 Do you have any image of snow condition such as onsite photo or satellite image?

L369-371 Unclear to see snow drift in the Fig 8.