Asymmetric Effects of Temperature Change on Herbaceous Seed Germination: Implications for Climate Warming

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

this work about Asymmetric effects of temperature change on herbaceous seed germination: Implications for climate warming. their results suggest that seed plants at low elevations in 21 mountain ecosystems may be at risk under future climate warming scenarios due to  the sharp decline in germination percentage at temperatures above To. Specially, protecting plants at low-elevation should be an important work of biodiversity  conservation in the warmer future.

 

the idea is novel but still some comments

the introduction part is too weak

the discussion need to rewrite again

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

the idea is ok but the ms need to rewrite again

Author Response

this work about Asymmetric effects of temperature change on herbaceous seed germination: Implications for climate warming. their results suggest that seed plants at low elevations in 21 mountain ecosystems may be at risk under future climate warming scenarios due to  the sharp decline in germination percentage at temperatures above To. Specially, protecting plants at low-elevation should be an important work of biodiversity conservation in the warmer future. the idea is novel but still some comments

Authors Response: Thank you for your comments.

 

the introduction part is too weak. the discussion need to rewrite again

Authors Response: We have revised the Introduction and Discussion to make two stronger sections (See Lines 2-8, Lines 21-28, Lines 46-56, Lines 57-80 and Lines 243-263).

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Two questions that, if you have information, would be interesting to write in the manuscript:
What was the initial viability of the seed?
What was the minimum and maximum distance from the plants from which the seeds were collected by species? How many seeds died due to the treatments?

Author Response

Two questions that, if you have information, would be interesting to write in the manuscript:

What was the initial viability of the seed?

Authors Response: We didn't determine the initial viability of Impatiens seeds. But we dissected non-germinated seeds to test whether they were alive or not, and the germination percentage was calculated after discarding nonviable seeds (See Lines 141-144).

 

What was the minimum and maximum distance from the plants from which the seeds were collected by species? How many seeds died due to the treatments?

Authors Response: Thank you for the suggestions! We have added the information in the revised manuscript (See Lines 117-119).

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

With climate change underway, it is certainly of considerable interest to investigate the impact this has on vital processes such as germination. Germination is determined by many factors, of which one very important and basic one is temperature. Temperature changes due to climate change and this can alter germination processes with consequent repercussions on the environment, landscape, food availability and the economy.
The Authors in their paper study how temperature variations influence the germination of a model plant, Impatiens. Based on their results, they construct mathematical models of increasing complexity. They relate germination percentage to temperature and then go on to investigate whether there is an asymmetrical behaviour (as germination percentage) when the temperature varies (increases or decreases) from the optimal temperature for this biological process of the plant.
The Authors explain well in the introduction in which field of research their study fits and clarify the purpose of their scientific activity. They refer to a solid bibliography. The experimental part is well designed, starting with the choice of a suitable sample plant (Impatiens). The analysis is conducted with rigour providing useful and usable results so that possible countermeasures to alterations in the germination process as a result of temperature variations can be foreseen. In fact, the possible practical effects of the information that their mathematical models can provide are well understood.
It is a good work
Only one note: Can the authors please check what is written in the sentence in lines 48 and 49?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate editing of English language is needed

Author Response

With climate change underway, it is certainly of considerable interest to investigate the impact this has on vital processes such as germination. Germination is determined by many factors, of which one very important and basic one is temperature. Temperature changes due to climate change and this can alter germination processes with consequent repercussions on the environment, landscape, food availability and the economy.

The Authors in their paper study how temperature variations influence the germination of a model plant, Impatiens. Based on their results, they construct mathematical models of increasing complexity. They relate germination percentage to temperature and then go on to investigate whether there is an asymmetrical behaviour (as germination percentage) when the temperature varies (increases or decreases) from the optimal temperature for this biological process of the plant.

The Authors explain well in the introduction in which field of research their study fits and clarify the purpose of their scientific activity. They refer to a solid bibliography. The experimental part is well designed, starting with the choice of a suitable sample plant (Impatiens). The analysis is conducted with rigour providing useful and usable results so that possible countermeasures to alterations in the germination process as a result of temperature variations can be foreseen. In fact, the possible practical effects of the information that their mathematical models can provide are well understood.

It is a good work

Authors Response: Thank you for the assessments and the encouraging tone.

 

Only one note: Can the authors please check what is written in the sentence in lines 48 and 49?

Authors Response: We have rewritten this sentence to make it more clear in the revised manuscript (See Lines 49-52).

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

plz make your aim of the study more clear

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

its ok