“Is What We See Always Real?” A Comparative Study of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Urban Green Spaces: The Case of Shenzhen’s Central District

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is an excellent research article comparing two dimensional and three- dimensional  urban green space case study. However I have a few suggestions to improve the manuscript.

1. The abstract is too long- needs to be reduced by 50% -just stick to the basics- research questions- methods - and major findings.

2. lines 115-124 We don't need superlatives to describe the chosen study area- just why it was chosen.

3. In the conclusion lines 462- It seems to be that comparing the human perception of green space to the study results would be a very important research agenda.

Author Response

1. The abstract is too long- needs to be reduced by 50% -just stick to the basics- research questions- methods - and major findings.

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and for your valuable comments. We apologize that our previous revisions did not meet your expectations. This time, we have further condensed the abstract in hopes of producing a summary that meets academic writing standards.

 

Please see the Abstract section of the manuscript for details

“This paper takes the central area of Shenzhen as an example to explore the correlation and differences between 2D and 3D green spaces on urban roads during the summer of 2023. By collecting street view image data and using convolutional neural networks for image semantic segmentation, the Green View Index (GVI) was calculated and combined with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for analysis.The results show that the road greening level in Nanshan District, Futian District, and Luohu District of Shenzhen is relatively high, with GVI exceeding 25%. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the 2D and 3D greening data is 0.5818, indicating a moderate correlation.By analyzing four typical greening scenarios (high NDVI and high GVI, high NDVI and low GVI, low NDVI and high GVI, and low NDVI and low GVI), the study found specific reasons for the differences in green data in different dimensions; the analysis revealed that factors such as building height, density, and elevated transportation facilities significantly affect the accuracy of NDVI in urban spaces.The study suggests that in urban greening assessments, the complementarity and differences between street view data and remote sensing data should be comprehensively considered to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the analysis.”

 

 

2. lines 115-124 We don't need superlatives to describe the chosen study area- just why it was chosen.

Response：We regret that our understanding of your previous review comments was inaccurate. This time, we have removed the descriptive text from the section "reasons for choosing it" to make it sufficiently concise.Thank you very much for your meticulous review and constructive feedback of our study.

Please see section 2.1 of the manuscript for details

“The road network in the central area of Shenzhen is characterized by high density, multifunctionality, multiple levels, and complex structures. It not only bears the main traffic flow but also reflects advanced road greening design and implementation results.Shenzhen's continuous attention and investment in the urban ecological environment have ensured that, despite high-intensity land development, green spaces still maintain high vegetation coverage, diverse vegetation types, and well-developed three-dimensional greening.As a modern super-large city with an urbanization rate close to 100%, Shenzhen is one of the representatives of ecological cities in China. Its urban greening and development coexist harmoniously, forming a "half-green, half-city" landscape.Nanshan District, Futian District, and Luohu District, as the earliest developed areas of Shenzhen, have not seen a significant decline in the quality of their green spaces despite high-intensity construction, complex traffic structures, and high population density.These three areas not only provide rich research samples for urban green infrastructure but also offer strong empirical evidence for studying the evolution of urban greening, the perception of urban green spaces, and related fields.”

 

 

3. In the conclusion lines 462- It seems to be that comparing the human perception of green space to the study results would be a very important research agenda.

Response：We appreciate your valuable comments and detailed feedback on our research. In this revision, we have added further thoughts on "people's perceptions and studies of green spaces" in section 5.2.1 for your review.

Please see section 5.2.1 of the manuscript for details

“In this study, the collection points of street panorama images were limited and could not fully represent the entire greening situation of the road segments.The collected sample images could only reflect the local greening coverage of the road segment and could not fully reflect the overall greening level of the road segment.Therefore, there may be some discrepancies between the study results and the actual greening perceptions of the residents in the area.Future research should prioritize comparing residents' perceptions of green spaces with the research results to address these discrepancies.Increasing the number of sampling points or reducing the time interval for data updates may improve the representativeness and accuracy of the results.”

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Manuscript Title: "Is What We See Always Real?" A Comparative Study of Two-dimensional and Three-Dimensional Urban Green Spaces: The Case of Shenzhen's Central District

Manuscript ID: forests-2981837

 

It is crucial to prioritize research on urban green spaces in order to effectively combat the issue of global climate change. The researchers focusing on A Comparative Study of Two-dimensional and Three-Dimensional Urban Green Spaces have made significant contributions. This is an interesting paper that adds new information related to Two-dimensional and Three-Dimensional Urban Green Spaces. While this paper would be useful for understanding of green space evolution in rapidly urbanizing cities, the current form of the manuscript requires revisions before considering for publication.

Abstract

Line 17: The abstract should have to show when the research has done without directly forwarding to results or findings.

Line 38: the authors should seek for further studies on what was untouched or unclear on their findings after concluding their study.

Introduction:

Line 64-94: The introduction establishes the importance of urban green spaces but lacks specific context on the research gap or problem statement and could provide a stronger statement outlining the main argument or hypothesis of the study.

Line 66-81: But, it effectively sets up the rationale for comparing two-dimensional and three-dimensional perspectives of urban green spaces.

Methodology:

The article would benefit from a more detailed description of the methodology employed in the comparative study. Specifically, it should provide information on the data sources, analysis techniques, and criteria used to evaluate the effectiveness of 2D and 3D representations of urban green spaces.

Line 107-237: Overall, the methodology is well-described but could benefit from additional clarity on data collection procedures and analysis techniques.

Line 158-165: The methodology section describes the use of NDVI and image semantic segmentation for analyzing two-dimensional and three-dimensional green spaces, respectively.

Line 182-184: But, it could provide more details on the specific CNN models used for image analysis to enhance reproductively.

 

Data Interpretation

This manuscript should include a thorough discussion of the findings and their implications. The authors should interpret the results of the study in relation to existing literature on urban green space perception and design. Additionally, they should address any limitations of the study and suggest avenues for future research. A more robust theoretical framework to contextualize the research within broader debates in urban planning and environmental psychology. Engaging with relevant theories of perception, cognition, and spatial analysis would enrich the analysis and contribute to theoretical advancements in the field.

Visual aids (Maps and figures)

It could benefit if grids are used to show objects geospatially.

Grid reference labels could be enough at two parts (top and left or bottom and right)

Results and discussion:

Line 241-304: The results section effectively presents the findings, including the correlation between NDVI and GVI, analysis of greening scenarios, and differences between observed and measured green spaces.

Line 290-293: Specific examples from Shenzhen's Central District add depth to the analysis and help contextualize the findings.

Line 410-415: The results are clearly presented but could be further elaborated to provide more insights into the implications of the findings.

Line 262-267: The result of this finding could be elaborated against or in line with previous studies to show that to what this research has filled proposed research gaps

Conclusion

 The conclusion summarizes the key findings and highlights the study's contribution to understanding urban green space evolution. It appropriately suggests avenues for future research, such as exploring the use of GVI as a supplement to NDVI in greening assessments. In conclusion, while the article effectively addresses its research objectives and provides valuable insights, there are areas where clarity and depth could be enhanced to strengthen its impact within the field of urban studies.

Acknowledgement:

Line 496: the results of the study couldn’t be obtained solely of authors, acknowledgements should be incorporated.

Author Response

 

1. Line 17: The abstract should have to show when the research has done without directly forwarding to results or findings.

 

Response：Thank you for taking the time to review our manuscript and providing valuable feedback. We have included the timeline of the research and have streamlined the abstract section.

 

 

2. Line 38: the authors should seek for further studies on what was untouched or unclear on their findings after concluding their study.

 

Response：We sincerely appreciate your detailed suggestions, which have been very helpful to us. In studying the differences in 2D and 3D street green space data, we have further reflected on current data research in section 5.1: the limitations of large datasets in small to medium-scale studies, and the need for scholars to move beyond single-value research to understand the real-world implications of data.

 

3. Line 64-94: The introduction establishes the importance of urban green spaces but lacks specific context on the research gap or problem statement and could provide a stronger statement outlining the main argument or hypothesis of the study.

 

Response：Thank you for reviewing our article and providing detailed and insightful comments. The introduction and abstract have been revised, and the literature review section has been significantly expanded to include more scholars' research as the background for this study. Major revisions have been made to the abstract, introduction, and conclusion sections to ensure consistency between the study's objectives and conclusions. The literature review now includes an overview of the importance of roadside green spaces and current research on their identification and perception.

 

 

4. Line 66-81: But, it effectively sets up the rationale for comparing two-dimensional and three-dimensional perspectives of urban green spaces.

Response：We are very grateful for your review of this study and your improvement suggestions. We have added descriptions in the introduction and included current research on the perception and evaluation of urban green spaces by scholars.

 

 

 

5. The article would benefit from a more detailed description of the methodology employed in the comparative study. Specifically, it should provide information on the data sources, analysis techniques, and criteria used to evaluate the effectiveness of 2D and 3D representations of urban green spaces.

 

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and providing valuable suggestions, which are crucial for improving our work. We have added a summary of various data sources in section 2.2.1 and detailed the data calculation process throughout the second section.

 

 

6. Line 107-237: Overall, the methodology is well-described but could benefit from additional clarity on data collection procedures and analysis techniques.

Response：Thank you for reviewing our article and providing valuable feedback. We have added detailed descriptions of data sources and the data processing process in sections 2.1, 2.2, and 3 to enhance the article's validity and reproducibility.

 

7. Line 158-165: The methodology section describes the use of NDVI and image semantic segmentation for analyzing two-dimensional and three-dimensional green spaces, respectively.

Response：Thank you for your valuable comments and detailed feedback on our research. We have added the final data processing steps for NDVI and GVI in section 2.2.3.

 

8. Line 182-184: But, it could provide more details on the specific CNN models used for image analysis to enhance reproductively.

 

 Response：We sincerely thank you for reviewing our manuscript and providing constructive criticism. We have added relevant references and included technical details on semantic segmentation in section 3.3, along with related technical pathway images (Figure 6).

 

 

 

9. This manuscript should include a thorough discussion of the findings and their implications. The authors should interpret the results of the study in relation to existing literature on urban green space perception and design. Additionally, they should address any limitations of the study and suggest avenues for future research. A more robust theoretical framework to contextualize the research within broader debates in urban planning and environmental psychology. Engaging with relevant theories of perception, cognition, and spatial analysis would enrich the analysis and contribute to theoretical advancements in the field.

Response：Thank you for your guidance, which has played a crucial role in revising this article and helping us build a research framework for scientific literature. Based on your feedback, we have adjusted the logical structure of the article and made substantial revisions to the abstract, introduction, and conclusion sections to ensure consistency between the research objectives and conclusions. In the literature review, we have added a summary of the importance of roadside green spaces and discussed current research on their identification and perception by scholars. Finally, in the conclusion section, we have deepened and clarified our conclusions, exploring the neglect of details in current big data research and considering the potential implications of this study for other fields.

 

 

10. Visual aids (Maps and figures). It could benefit if grids are used to show objects geospatially. Grid reference labels could be enough at two parts (top and left or bottom and right)

Response：Thank you very much for your detailed review and constructive feedback on this study. We have corrected the erroneous figures throughout the article.

 

 

 

11. Line 241-304: The results section effectively presents the findings, including the correlation between NDVI and GVI, analysis of greening scenarios, and differences between observed and measured green spaces.

Response：We sincerely thank you for your detailed suggestions. We have optimized the logic and added details in the conclusion and abstract sections, strengthening the coherence between the entire article and the research results.

 

 

12. Line 290-293: Specific examples from Shenzhen's Central District add depth to the analysis and help contextualize the findings.

Response：Thank you for taking the time to review our manuscript and providing valuable feedback. In this revision, we have supplemented all analysis sections with practical case studies to enhance the persuasiveness of the article, as seen in Figures 9, 13, and 15.

 

13. Line 410-415: The results are clearly presented but could be further elaborated to provide more insights into the implications of the findings.

Response：Thank you for your attention to our work and the valuable improvement suggestions you provided. We have added an analysis of the reasons for the NDVI values being lower than expected in section 4.3.4, hoping to make the article more clear.

 

14. Line 262-267: The result of this finding could be elaborated against or in line with previous studies to show that to what this research has filled proposed research gaps

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and providing valuable suggestions, which are crucial for improving our work. We have added relevant references in section 4.2 and included an explanation of the correlation between data in section 5.1.

 

 

15. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and highlights the study's contribution to understanding urban green space evolution. It appropriately suggests avenues for future research, such as exploring the use of GVI as a supplement to NDVI in greening assessments. In conclusion, while the article effectively addresses its research objectives and provides valuable insights, there are areas where clarity and depth could be enhanced to strengthen its impact within the field of urban studies.

Response：Thank you very much for your thorough review of our work and the valuable feedback provided. We have clarified the logic in the conclusions section, making it clearer. Additionally, in this revision, we have added deeper reflections on the research findings in section 5.1: the limitations of large datasets in small to medium-scale studies and the importance for scholars to move beyond single-value research and attempt to understand the real-world implications of the data.

 

 

16. Line 496: the results of the study couldn’t be obtained solely of authors, acknowledgements should be incorporated.

Response：We apologize for the error in this section. Our appreciation goes to the editors and reviewers whose valuable feedback and suggestions enhanced the quality of this research.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

A well-written and well-illustrated paper which potentially could make an important contribution to the field. However, there are a number of issues that need to be resolved.

The literature review is very sparse, and needs to be amplified considerably. 

In the text there are words attached to full stops or commas (e.g. .Green spaces) and unnecessary gaps between words and semi-colons (LU Y et al.,2018 ;)

The in-text referencing is incorrect e.g. use of capital letters (e.g. MEEROW S et al.,2016), use of author's initial e.g. (HELBICH 48 M et al.,2019), use of author's first name e.g. (Ayyoob Sharifi,2021). Kameoka T (2022) should be Kameoka et al. (2022).

The reference list also needs to be corrected. Aoki (1987) is attached to the end of the Bell reference. Again, there is incorrect use of author first names.

Line 284 - more than 0.8 are excellently vegetated[15][16]. What do the numbers in square brackets refer to?

Author Response

 

1. The literature review is very sparse, and needs to be amplified considerably.

Response：Thank you very much for your thorough review of our work and the valuable feedback provided. The literature review section has been significantly expanded, incorporating more scholars' research as the background for this study. Major revisions have been made to the abstract, introduction, and conclusion sections to ensure consistency between the study's objectives and conclusions. The literature review now includes an overview of the importance of roadside green spaces and the current research on their identification and perception. The conclusion section has been deepened and clarified, discussing the oversight of details in current big data research and considering the implications of this study for other fields.

 

2. In the text there are words attached to full stops or commas (e.g. .Green spaces) and unnecessary gaps between words and semi-colons (LU Y et al.,2018 ;)

Response：We apologize for the errors. The article has been corrected for all spelling and formatting mistakes. Thank you for your careful review and valuable suggestions.

 

3. The in-text referencing is incorrect e.g. use of capital letters (e.g. MEEROW S et al.,2016), use of author's initial e.g. (HELBICH 48 M et al.,2019), use of author's first name e.g. (Ayyoob Sharifi,2021). Kameoka T (2022) should be Kameoka et al. (2022).

Response：We apologize for the errors. The article has been corrected for all citation and spelling mistakes. Thank you for your detailed and insightful suggestions on our research.

 

4. The reference list also needs to be corrected. Aoki (1987) is attached to the end of the Bell reference. Again, there is incorrect use of author first names.

Response：We apologize for the oversight that led to citation and author name errors. We have now corrected all errors in the document. Thank you for taking the time to review our article and provide valuable feedback.

 

5. Line 284 - more than 0.8 are excellently vegetated[15][16]. What do the numbers in square brackets refer to?

Response：We apologize for the citation errors in the literature review section. All mistakes have now been corrected. Thank you very much for your thorough review and constructive feedback on this study.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Authors,

The paper presents an interesting topic which fits to the scope of the journal, however in its current form, the article does not bring valuable knowledge and conclusions to scientific knowledge. Here are some tips that could improve the quality of the article.

 

1. The work lacks the basic element of each scientific article, i.e. discussion section and clearly defined conclusions. Conclusion section concentrate on limitations and main results (findings). The conclusion should be defined regarding the aim of the study. Unfortunately the clearly defined purpose of the study (based on showed identified knowledge gaps) is also missing. The literature review should be developed focusing on identifying research gaps. It would be advisable to make broader references to world literature, analyzing examples from cities on other continents.
2. Abbreviations should be entered only once, of course separately in the abstract and in the main text of the article. Please verify these types of errors in the text.
3. The text lacks references to figures and tables.
4. The text also mentions the concept of blue-green spaces in Shenzhen (v. 101)? , so should the work have a broader context? Should the work have a broader context? This introduces methodological chaos.
5. Can there be a different degree of urbanization than 100% in urban areas? I don't understand this phrase... Maybe the concept of megacity, administrative division, etc. needs to be explained more in detail.
6. Which version of ArcGIS were used?
7. The map indicating the 3 selected districts within boundaries of the city of Shenzhen is missing. Please indicate in detail what makes these areas stand out from the city. It is worth referring to statistical and spatial data, e.g. population number, population density, structure of use, share of green areas, number of economic entities, etc.
8. Please change the values in the legend in figure 2 (0,00000 – 5.000000) and add units. For all figures (also tables) , please refer to the data source or indicate that it is your own work.
9. Figure 3 – where is the last steps with results?
10. There is no detailed analysis of green areas in the analyzed districts. The analyzed areas should be characterized more precisely. The districts selected for analysis should be described in more detail. Maybe also in the form of a table. Basic descriptive statistics would also be useful. It would be advisable to provide at least the dominant potential natural vegetation, climatic zone, and information on land use, especially the share, types and number of green areas.
11. Figure 8 should be shown on the basis of orthophoto maps or map showing green areas (as background).
12. Please add also some sample of photos and maps for high NDVI and GVI.
    
    Best regards

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

1. The work lacks the basic element of each scientific article, i.e. discussion section and clearly defined conclusions. Conclusion section concentrate on limitations and main results (findings). The conclusion should be defined regarding the aim of the study. Unfortunately the clearly defined purpose of the study (based on showed identified knowledge gaps) is also missing. The literature review should be developed focusing on identifying research gaps. It would be advisable to make broader references to world literature, analyzing examples from cities on other continents.

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and providing valuable suggestions, which are crucial for improving our work. I have learned the basic elements of scientific research: major revisions have been made to the abstract, introduction, and conclusion sections to ensure consistency between the study's objectives and conclusions. The literature review now includes an overview of the importance of roadside green spaces and current research on their identification and perception. The conclusion section has been deepened and clarified, discussing the oversight of details in current big data research and considering the implications of this study for other fields.

 

 

2. Abbreviations should be entered only once, of course separately in the abstract and in the main text of the article. Please verify these types of errors in the text.

Response：Thank you for your valuable comments and detailed feedback on our research. We have corrected the errors related to abbreviations throughout the document.

 

3. The text lacks references to figures and tables.

Response：We sincerely thank you for reviewing our manuscript and providing constructive criticism. This was an oversight on our part, and we have now correctly cited the figures and tables throughout the document.

 

4. The text also mentions the concept of blue-green spaces in Shenzhen (v. 101)? , so should the work have a broader context? Should the work have a broader context? This introduces methodological chaos.

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and providing specific improvement suggestions. The initial aim and final conclusions were inconsistent, causing logical confusion in the article. We have removed the section on blue space and will now focus on analyzing the differences and correlations between 2D and 3D roadside green space data using Shenzhen as a case study. We hope this will improve scholars' understanding of urban perception and the real-world significance behind numerical data.

 

 

5. Can there be a different degree of urbanization than 100% in urban areas? I don't understand this phrase... Maybe the concept of megacity, administrative division, etc. needs to be explained more in detail.

Response：We apologize for the miscommunication. The explanation has been added and corrected in section 2.1 of the original text. In large cities, certain areas may be highly urbanized, while others may retain undeveloped or rural characteristics, such as urban villages and shantytowns. Shenzhen is the first city in China without rural areas or farmers. In 2021, Shenzhen's urbanization rate was 99.82%, and in 2022, it was 99.79%. By 2023, the city's permanent population was 17.66 million, all of whom were urban residents. The city consumes about 22,000 tons of agricultural products daily, but the arable land is less than 100,000 acres, with only 30,000 acres of permanent basic farmland. We sincerely thank you for your detailed review and valuable comments.

 

 

6. Which version of ArcGIS were used?

Response：Thank you for reviewing our work and providing valuable feedback. The ArcGIS version used in this study is 10.7. Various data sources and related software versions have been added in section 2.2.1: The study data was collected in July 2023, and the research process was based on the ArcGIS 10.7 platform for data calculation and visualization. Python 3.11, PyTorch 2.0, and DeepLabV3 were used to train the image semantic segmentation prediction model for calculating the green view index of urban streetscapes.

 

7. The map indicating the 3 selected districts within boundaries of the city of Shenzhen is missing. Please indicate in detail what makes these areas stand out from the city. It is worth referring to statistical and spatial data, e.g. population number, population density, structure of use, share of green areas, number of economic entities, etc.

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and providing valuable feedback. We have added regional maps of Shenzhen and images of the three selected areas in Figures 1 and 2. Additionally, basic information about the city has been added in section 2.1 to explain why we chose Nanshan District, Futian District, and Luohu District in Shenzhen as our study areas. These areas have unique urban characteristics and are representative. Firstly, they are the core areas of Shenzhen's earliest economic development zones, with higher population density and economic activity levels than other parts of the city, making them highly representative. Secondly, despite high-intensity urban development, these areas have maintained high levels of greenery, with the road green view index in Nanshan, Futian, and Luohu districts exceeding 25%. Moreover, the road types in these areas are diverse, providing a comprehensive sample for research. Shenzhen's urban data is relatively complete and easily accessible, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the study. Choosing these areas allows us to showcase Shenzhen's successful experience in green infrastructure construction amid rapid urbanization, providing reference and guidance for other cities.

 

8. Please change the values in the legend in figure 2 (0,00000 – 5.000000) and add units. For all figures (also tables) , please refer to the data source or indicate that it is your own work.

Figure 3 – where is the last steps with results?

Response：We are very grateful for your review of this study and your improvement suggestions. We have updated all legends in the article that lacked units. All figures and tables now have clear references in the text to inform readers of the data sources or calculation results. The subsequent results of Figure 3 have been updated.

 

9. There is no detailed analysis of green areas in the analyzed districts. The analyzed areas should be characterized more precisely. The districts selected for analysis should be described in more detail. Maybe also in the form of a table. Basic descriptive statistics would also be useful. It would be advisable to provide at least the dominant potential natural vegetation, climatic zone, and information on land use, especially the share, types and number of green areas.

Response：Thank you for reviewing our paper and providing detailed and insightful comments. We have added extensive natural background information about Shenzhen in the overview of the study area in section 2.1. This includes basic natural green space information for the three areas, expressed in charts and satellite maps, covering various vegetation types and their proportions, as well as land use and its proportions.

 

10. Figure 8 should be shown on the basis of orthophoto maps or map showing green areas (as background).

Response：Thank you for your careful review and valuable suggestions. We have updated Figure 13 to better show the actual greenery environment. Additionally, the image of the study area in Figure 2 has been updated to help readers clearly understand the orthoimage of the research area.

 

11. Please add also some sample of photos and maps for high NDVI and GVI.

Response：Thank you for taking the time to review our article and provide valuable feedback. We have added Figure 13 in section 4.3.1 as a case study for analyzing high NDVI and high GVI. Several supplementary explanations of map samples have also been added throughout the article to enhance its persuasiveness.

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors should check the citation format. The other concern I have is you have to use number citation like [1, 2, 3) instead of [i, ii, iii). 

Author Response

1. The authors should check the citation format. The other concern I have is you have to use number citation like [1, 2, 3) instead of [i, ii, iii).

 

Response：We apologize that our last modification used different versions of Word, which caused errors in the citation format upon upload. We have also revised the format of the references in this submission.Thank you for your review and detailed feedback on our paper, which has been very helpful in improving our manuscript.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have addressed my previous comments

Author Response

Thank you for your review and detailed feedback on our paper, which has been very helpful in improving our manuscript.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Authors,

thank you for implementing many of the suggested changes and all answers and explanations. Unfortunately the work still lacks some elements of each scientific article, i.e. research hypothesis. The purpose of the research should also be more clearly defined. Please implement also other suggestions:

1.     Discussion section should not be a part of conclusion section, but a separate one, eventually it should be added to result section.

2.     Land use structure should be showed in table for each of three analysed district.

3.     Also green area in analysed districts should be described more in detail.

 Best regards.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

1.The work still lacks some elements of each scientific article, i.e. research hypothesis.

Response：We are very grateful for your guidance! Your conscientious and responsible suggestions have greatly helped us perfect a scientific piece of writing. Thank you so much. In this revision, we have added a discussion of the research hypotheses at the end of the introduction and have clearly summarized the purpose of this study.

Please see the Introduction section of the manuscript for details.

This study hypothesizes that there is a significant correlation between 2D and 3D greening data of urban roads; at the same time, it is hypothesized that there are significant differences between 2D and 3D greening data at the same locations in different urban scenarios.

 

 

2.The purpose of the research should also be more clearly defined.

Response：Thank you for taking the time to review our manuscript and providing valuable feedback. We have added a discussion on the research hypotheses at the end of the introduction and clearly summarized the purpose of this research in this revision.

Please see the Introduction section of the manuscript for details.

The study aims to explore the correlation and differences between 2D and 3D greening data at the same locations by comparing and analyzing road greening data in these three areas. The specific objectives include: (1) evaluating the correlation between NDVI and GVI; (2) analyzing the main factors leading to differences between NDVI and GVI; and (3) summarizing the applicability and limitations of NDVI and GVI in different urban areas.

 

 

3.Discussion section should not be a part of conclusion section, but a separate one, eventually it should be added to result section.

Response：We are very grateful for your review and the suggestions for improvement on this study. Following your guidance, we have added the discussion section to the results, and we appreciate your advice.

 

4.Land use structure should be showed in table for each of three analysed district.

Response：We apologize for neglecting a detailed analysis of the study area. In this revision, we have reclassified the types of land use and displayed them in the newly added Table 2.

Table 2 Statistics of land use information in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China (Shenzhen Bureau of Statistics, 2024)

Land type ratio	Shenzhen	Nanshan	Futian	Luohu
arable land(%)	5.95	8.77	0.76	4.73
woodland(%)	29.14	24.63	18.06	49.10
grassland(%)	1.23	1.86	0.24	1.03
Waters(%)	3.95	3.05	4.21	5.64
Urban construction land(%)	59.73	61.70	76.73	39.50

 

 

5.Also green area in analysed districts should be described more in detail.

Response：We combined the land use classification of the study area with the distribution of major parks and green spaces in different areas, adding a more detailed description of the green spaces in the analyzed area. Thank you for reviewing our work and providing valuable suggestions.

Please see section 2.1 of the manuscript for details

“Nanshan District, Futian District, and Luohu District, as the old urban areas of Shenzhen, each have unique green space resources that significantly contribute to the city's ecological environment (Table 2). Nanshan District has 61.70% of its land used for urban construction, but still retains 24.63% forest land and 8.77% farmland, mainly concentrated in Nanshan Park and the northern mountainous areas, providing important ecological services.Futian District, as an administrative and commercial center, has 76.73% of its land used for urban construction, with 18.06% forest land, mainly distributed in Lianhua Mountain Park, Xiangmi Lake area, and the northern mountainous areas. Despite the high development intensity, it still provides residents with high-quality recreational green spaces.Luohu District has 39.50% of its land used for urban construction, with a lower development intensity compared to the other two districts. It has 49.10% forest land, mainly concentrated in the Wutong Mountain Scenic Area and Donghu Park area, forming an important ecological barrier for the city.The water areas in the three districts account for 3.05%, 4.21%, and 5.64%, respectively, while the grassland areas account for 1.86%, 0.24%, and 1.03%, respectively.”

 

 

6.Minor editing of English language required.

Response：This revision made adjustments to some of the grammar in the article, hoping to conform to normal language descriptions. Thank you for taking the time to review our manuscript and providing valuable feedback.