Quantitative Analysis of Agricultural Carbon Emissions and Absorption from Agricultural Land Resources in Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2022
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Authors
The paper titled “Quantitative Analysis of Agricultural Carbon Emissions and Absorption from Agricultural Land Resources in Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2022” utilizes agricultural-related data from 2010 to 2022 in Shaanxi Province to analyze the carbon emission and absorption. The paper addresses important issues however it needs more improvements.
1. The abstract does not clearly explain the significance of the study's findings or how they contribute to achieving China's "dual carbon" goals.
2. Some issues need to be corrected in the introduction and literature sections:
The text in the intro section repeatedly emphasizes the importance of low-carbon agriculture and the role of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions, however, it doesn't clearly explain how this study will address the issue differently from previous research. The introduction lacks specific details on the research gap or the unique contribution of this study.
The literature review has a few issues. Providing more details on climate change and agriculture and board context would enhance understanding and comprehensiveness. Authors should add these works to get support from the existing and latest literature [1] What drives the agricultural carbon emissions for low-carbon transition? Evidence from China [2] CDLSTM: a novel model for climate change forecasting; [3] Crop water requirements with changing climate in an arid region of saudi arabia.
3. Drawbacks need to be addressed for the methods/implementation section
Table 1 requires a reference source with the corresponding citation number. Additionally, the coefficients for fertilizer, pesticides, and agricultural irrigation need to be justified for use in the current study area.
There is a requirement for a new Table between Table 1 and Table 2; which provides the quantity of each carbon emission Ti for each source.
4. The recommendations provided lack specificity and actionable insights for farmers or researchers looking to implement similar works, such as detailed steps for operational best practices.
5. Limitations and the future scope should be added with more clarity.
Author Response
Comment 1: The abstract does not clearly explain the significance of the study's findings or how they contribute to achieving China's "dual carbon" goals.
RE:We greatly appreciate the reviewer’s suggestions. In response to the reviewer’s request, we have revised the abstract to more clearly reflect the significance of the study. The adjusted abstract is as follows:
Abstract: Agriculture is not only a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions but also a vast carbon sink system. Achieving the "dual carbon" goals-carbon peaking and carbon neutrality-is a major strategic objective for China in the near future. This study focuses on agricultural data from 2010 to 2022 in Shaanxi Province. It begins by analyzing the current economic and environmental conditions of the province and its resource endowment. The study then quantitatively assesses carbon absorption, carbon emissions, and the net carbon sink in agriculture over this period. Additionally, a Vector Auto Regression (VAR) model is used to empirically analyze the relationship between agricultural carbon emissions and their influencing factors in Shaanxi Province.Key findings include:(1) From 2010 to 2022, the total carbon emissions from agriculture in Shaanxi Province were controlled to around 3 million tons, showing an overall trend of "growth-slow decline" with fluctuations. The carbon emissions from fertilizer application accounted for approximately 60% of the total carbon emissions from agriculture in Shaanxi Province, with a total volume ranging from 1.623 to 2.164 million tons. The total carbon absorption from agriculture in Shaanxi Province showed an increasing trend with fluctuations year by year from 2010 to 2022, with an average annual increase of 1.367%.(2) Fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural films, and agricultural diesel are the primary contributors to agricultural carbon emissions. (3) Results from the Johansen cointegration test reveal a long-term equilibrium relationship between agricultural carbon emissions in Shaanxi Province and influencing factors such as fertilizers and pesticides in the short term. The contributions of fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural films, and agricultural diesel to agricultural carbon emissions are 1.351%, 1.888%, 10.663%, and 0.258%, respectively.(4) The long-term contributions of fertilizers and pesticides to agricultural carbon emissions initially increased before undergoing a gradual attenuation, with average attenuation rates of 1.351% and 1.888%, respectively.
Comment 2: Some issues need to be corrected in the introduction and literature sections:
RE:Thank you for the reviewer’s suggestions. We have thoroughly reviewed and adjusted the introduction and literature review sections in accordance with the reviewer’s recommendations.
Comment 3:The text in the intro section repeatedly emphasizes the importance of low-carbon agriculture and the role of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions, however, it doesn't clearly explain how this study will address the issue differently from previous research. The introduction lacks specific details on the research gap or the unique contribution of this study.
RE: Thank you for the reviewer’s valuable suggestions. This advice is crucial for the paper. In the introduction, we have emphasized the differences from other studies by focusing on two key aspects: first, the choice of the research area; and second, the focus on cropland carbon emissions, which are linked to China’s food security and cropland protection. This approach aims to foster a positive social atmosphere for public participation in cropland protection. The specific details are as follows:
Existing data show that greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural production sector have been reduced by 854 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, accounting for 23.4% of China's total emissions.
In summary, low-carbon agriculture represents a complex agricultural economic model. It is a strategically designed system that requires a multi-faceted approach to achieve effective results.
As a major agricultural country, China's efforts in reducing agricultural emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration will be crucial for achieving its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. The success of these efforts will significantly impact global greenhouse gas reduction targets. China aims to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Building a socialist ecological civilization with carbon reduction as a key component requires contributions from all industries. Agriculture, being a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, plays a critical role in these goals. Therefore, emissions reduction and carbon sequestration in the agricultural and rural sectors are essential components of China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets. This area is also highly promising . Many studies focus on specific regions or countries, such as China, Europe, and the United States.Within China, research often targets provinces like Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and regions with significant agricultural activity. Methods of quantitative analysis include：(1)Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Evaluates the environmental impacts of agricultural processes from production to disposal.(2)Carbon Footprint Analysis: Measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by agricultural activities.（3）Input-Output Analysis: Assesses the relationship between agricultural inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) and outputs (crop yield, emissions).
Therefore, accurately assessing the carbon emissions and carbon sequestration potential of agricultural land resources in Shaanxi Province is beneficial for research on carbon neutrality and for regional ecological conservation and high-quality development [22]. This study aims to empirically analyze the relationship between agricultural carbon emissions and influencing factors in Shaanxi Province using the VAR model, based on scientific calculations of carbon emissions from six types of carbon sources in Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2022 [23]. This research could provide scientific basis and policy recommendations for achieving agricultural carbon reduction goals in Shaanxi Province. It will support the adjustment of agricultural development methods and industrial structure, ultimately contributing to the realization of Shaanxi Province's agricultural carbon reduction targets.
Comment 4:The literature review has a few issues. Providing more details on climate change and agriculture and board context would enhance understanding and comprehensiveness. Authors should add these works to get support from the existing and latest literature [1] What drives the agricultural carbon emissions for low-carbon transition? Evidence from China [2] CDLSTM: a novel model for climate change forecasting; [3] Crop water requirements with changing climate in an arid region of saudi arabia.
RE: The reviewer’s suggestion is very important. The authors had previously created a diagram illustrating agricultural carbon sources, which can clearly reflect the mechanisms through which low-carbon agriculture promotes carbon reduction. Given the extensive use of figures and tables in the paper, we have added a textual description in the introduction. This addition uses data to explain why developing low-carbon agriculture is the most effective approach for addressing issues related to chemical agricultural pollution, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. The specific content is as follows:
"Low-carbon agriculture," as a subset of the "low-carbon economy" and a strategy for combating climate change, is gaining increasing attention. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, agriculture contributes approximately 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the context of advancing a low-carbon economy, developing low-carbon agriculture is a vital pathway for promoting sustainable agricultural development.Agriculture is an industry that interacts bidirectionally with the natural environments [6,7]. It is directly affected by global climate warming while simultaneously contributing to climate change through the continuous emission of greenhouse gases. Agriculture is both a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major carbon sink [8]. Achieving green and low-carbon development in agriculture is crucial for advancing the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Reducing agricultural emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration are vital strategies with substantial potential [9].Therefore, researching and developing low-carbon agriculture has significant theoretical and practical importance. It is an essential choice for mitigating global climate warming, addressing the energy crisis, and solving environmental issues associated with traditional agricultural practices [10,12]. Developing low-carbon agriculture is also a requirement for achieving sustainable agricultural development.It has been demonstrated that developing low-carbon agriculture is the most effective strategy for addressing environmental pollution caused by chemical-based farming, reducing energy consumption, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In low-carbon agricultural practices, only biological organic fertilizers and plant protectants are used, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These practices alone can reduce current energy consumption by more than 80%. For instance, in nitrogen fertilizer production alone, it is possible to save between 100 and 150 million tons of standard coal and 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. When including the savings from phosphorus fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, and pesticides, the total conservation of energy resources and electricity would be even greater.
Existing data show that greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural production sector have been reduced by 854 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, accounting for 23.4% of China's total emissions.
In summary, low-carbon agriculture represents a complex agricultural economic model. It is a strategically designed system that requires a multi-faceted approach to achieve effective results.
Comment 5: Drawbacks need to be addressed for the methods/implementation section
Table 1 requires a reference source with the corresponding citation number. Additionally, the coefficients for fertilizer, pesticides, and agricultural irrigation need to be justified for use in the current study area.
RE:The reviewer’s suggestion is crucial and greatly enhances the rigor of the paper. In response to the reviewer’s recommendations, we have taken the following steps: First, we have added citations to the main references in Table 1. Second, we have included detailed notes for Table 1 to clarify the relevant citation coefficients, taking into account the specific conditions in China. The added notes are as follows:
Note: The carbon emission factor for agricultural irrigation is 25 kg/hm². However, since only the fossil fuel consumption from thermal power generation contributes to indirect carbon emissions, this factor should be adjusted by the thermal power coefficient, which represents the proportion of thermal power in China's total electricity generation. Based on statistical data from the China Yearbook (2000–2018), the average thermal power coefficient was calculated to be 0.819. As a result, the adjusted carbon emission factor for agricultural irrigation is 20.476 kg/hm².
Comment 6:There is a requirement for a new Table between Table 1 and Table 2; which provides the quantity of each carbon emission Ti for each source.
RE:The authors have carefully considered the reviewer’s suggestions. Table 2 presents the total agricultural carbon emissions for Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2022, calculated based on the coefficients and data from Table 1. This includes six components: fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural plastic film, agricultural machinery, land tillage, and irrigation. This should correspond to the "Ti for each source" mentioned by the reviewer.
Comment 7: The recommendations provided lack specificity and actionable insights for farmers or researchers looking to implement similar works, such as detailed steps for operational best practices.
RE:Thank you for the reviewer’s suggestions. We have revised and integrated the recommendations in section 6.2. We have added several practical and actionable suggestions. The specific additions are as follows:
6.2 Recommendation:
1.Strengthening low-carbon technological innovation in agriculture and controlling carbon emissions from major sources are essential. This includes reducing the use of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides to achieve emission reduction goals.
The amount of diesel used in agriculture is a key factor influencing carbon emissions. Irrigation of farmland and the use of agricultural machinery are the main contributors to carbon emissions from diesel use in agriculture. In the future, there is a need to explore new types of green energy with lower carbon emissions to replace polluting energy sources.
Vigorously promote and disseminate technologies for reducing and increasing the efficiency of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Specifically, this can be achieved by implementing reduced fertilizer application, rational use of water-soluble fertilizers, and controlled-release fertilizers to enhance fertilizer utilization efficiency. Control the use of pesticides and promote new methods such as the use of biological pesticides. Additionally, advance the development of agricultural waste recycling technologies and enhance the recycling and reuse of materials such as agricultural films and pesticide packaging.
Comment 8: Limitations and the future scope should be added with more clarity.
RE:Thank you for the reviewer’s suggestions. We have added a new section, 5.2 Limitations and Future Research Directions, to the Discussion section. The specific details are as follows:
5.2 Limitations and Future Research Directions
(1) In terms of research scope, the development of low-carbon agriculture should embrace the concept of "big agriculture," which includes five sectors: crop farming, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, and ancillary industries. Among these, animal husbandry is the primary source of carbon emissions, while forestry plays the leading role in carbon absorption.However, this paper focuses primarily on crop farming, which is a subset of "small agriculture." Therefore, future research should emphasize the broader concept of "big agriculture."
(2) When calculating agricultural GDP, the impact of inflation was not taken into account.
We appreciate the reviewers for their detailed and thoughtful suggestions. Following their recommendations, the paper has been revised and now appears more standardized and coherent in both content and format.
We would like to express my sincere gratitude for the reviewers' suggestions and meticulous attention to detail. Their feedback has not only been valuable in improving this manuscript but has also significantly contributed to enhancing my ability to write English papers.We extend our sincere thanks for this improvement.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsSee attached file.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Comment 1:This study quantitatively calculates the status of carbon absorption,carbon emissions,and
net carbon sink in agriculture in Shaanxi Province (China)for the period 2010 to 2022
Additionally,the study employs a Vector Auto regression(VAR)model to empirically analyze the relationship between agricultural carbon emissions and influencing factors in Shaanxi Province.
The "Abstract"outlines the main points of the conducted research.in the "Introduction'
section,the need for the study is substantiated.The research and development of low-carbon
agriculture has significant theorctical and practical significance.The "Introduction"includes a
complete review of the literature sources on the problem.The references cited are current.The
"Materials and Data"section is written in sufficient detail and clearly
The Results section is written in sufficient detail and clearly,10 tables (Tables 2-11)and seven figures illustrate the results obtained.Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed.Basic tests(Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF)Unit Root Test,Johansen Cointegration
Test)were conducted,which showed that there is a long-term equilibrium relationship between
agricultural carbon emissions in Shaanxi Province and influencing factors such as fertilizers and
pesticides
The "Discussion"section is based on the presented results.The authors concluded that the empirical analysis of agricultural carbon emissions in Shaanxi Province provides a comprehensive
understanding of the factors driving these emissions and potential strategies to achieve low-carbon agricultural development.
The "Conclusion and Recommendations"section consists of two subsections"The Conclusion"subsection summarizes the presented results and their
discussion.
"The Recommendations"subsection provides recommendations for the further development of low-carbon agriculture,which is of great practical importance.The list of references includes 33 sources.All of them are relevant to the presented work.No excessive self-citation.
RE:Special thanks to the reviewers for their affirmation and recognition of the article. Based on the reviewers' suggestions, the authors have thoroughly revised both the content and format of the paper. After these comprehensive revisions, the structure and content of the paper are now more reasonable and standardized.
As a remark
Comment 2:The reference to Table 11 is on page 14,in subchapter 4.3.2."Johansen Cointegration Test".While Table 11"Variance decomposition results of influencing factors of agricultural carbon emissions' is located in subchapter 4.4."Impulse Response Functions and Variance Decomposition"on page
16.Above Table 11 is Table 10 in subchapter 4.3.3."Granger Causality Test".Could the authors
consider placing this table closer to its first mention in the text?
RE:The reviewers' suggestion was very detailed, and after careful consideration, the authors have understood the reviewers' intended message. The focus was on revising the sections "4.3 Basic Tests" and "4.4 Impulse Response Functions and Variance Decomposition" to improve clarity. These adjustments make it easier for readers to comprehend the figures and the corresponding text.
Comment 3:In general ,after minor editorial corrections.the manuscript can be published in the sustainability journal ,of special Issue "Advanced Research on Agriculture and Food Systems landscape towards sustainability ?
RE: Special thanks to the reviewers for providing detailed and practical suggestions.
We appreciate the reviewers for their detailed and thoughtful suggestions. Following their recommendations, the paper has been revised and now appears more standardized and coherent in both content and format.
We would like to express my sincere gratitude for the reviewers' suggestions and meticulous attention to detail. Their feedback has not only been valuable in improving this manuscript but has also significantly contributed to enhancing my ability to write English papers.We extend our sincere thanks for this improvement.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAll the comments have been addressed.
Author Response
Comment 1: The authors improved the manuscript by accepting the comments of the reviewers.
Authors should take care of the formatting of the text (spaces, capitalization, punctuation, etc.) and figures in the manuscript. Include units of measurement in the figures.
Figure 7 is illegible.
Put 2 decimal places on the y-axis for figures 2 and 3.
Right-align the equations.
Finally, a thorough revision of the English is necessary.
RE:Thank you for your detailed and practical suggestions. Based on your feedback, I have made the following revisions:
I thoroughly reviewed the entire manuscript and corrected the formatting, including spacing, capitalization, and punctuation.
I adjusted the aspect ratio of Figure 7 to enhance its visual appearance and ensure it adheres to standard formatting guidelines.
In Figures 2 and 3, I formatted the numbers on the y-axis to two decimal places to maintain consistency across all charts.
I right-aligned the equations and made further adjustments to various details throughout the paper.
As a result, the revised manuscript, including the figures and tables, now appears more standardized, visually appealing, and consistent.
We appreciate the reviewers for their detailed and thoughtful suggestions. Following their recommendations, the paper has been revised and now appears more standardized and coherent in both content and format.
We would like to express my sincere gratitude for the reviewers' suggestions and meticulous attention to detail. Their feedback has not only been valuable in improving this manuscript but has also significantly contributed to enhancing my ability to write English papers.We extend our sincere thanks for this improvement.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
