Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections
, Qingjun Wu 3, Guangyu Wang 4, Ya Li 1 and Xiaodi Zhao 2,4,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsIn this study, data from the 7th-9th National Forest Resource Inventory and ArcGIS software are used to illustrate the spatio-temporal patterns of economic density and changes in vegetation cover across 448 counties in the Yellow River Basin(YRB). Subsequently, a two-way fixed effects model is employed to explore the impact of economic density on vegetation cover in the YRB, delve into its underlying mechanisms, and examine spatial variations in these mechanisms. Based on these findings, feasible suggestions are proposed to promote ecological protection and facilitate high-quality development in the YRB. However, there are still some suggestions and questions. The paper needs minor revision.
(1) Lines 188 and 189 “Figure 1” should read“Figure 2”.
(2) In part 4.2.1, the regression results show that forest protection level has a seemingly negative impact on vegetation cover. However, the positive correlation between forest protection and vegetation cover is later written, and the explanation of the logical transition between the two is not clear.
(3) In part 4.2.2, the analysis and description of the relationship between economic density and plant cover are less.
(4) In part 5, the first conclusion is written as " Economic development and vegetation coverage in the YRB exhibited an overall upward trajectory from 2008 to 2018", while the abstract and 4.1.1 above are" Vegetation coverage exhibits a pattern of high in the west and low in the east, with an overall downward trend in the YRB. ", and the conclusions before and after are inconsistent.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThe language of the paper needs to be appropriately modified.
Author Response
Dear Academic Editor and Reviewers, Re:Manuscript ID: land-2917160 Type of manuscript: Article Title: Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections Authors: Benxu Wang, Xuanqin Yang, Yaquan Dou, Qingjun Wu, Guangyu Wang, Ya Li, Xiaodi Zhao* Received: 20 March 2024 We write to extend our sincere gratitude for your invaluable feedback on our manuscript titled "Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections" (Manuscript ID: land-2917160). Your insightful comments have significantly contributed to the enhancement of our paper's quality. We have conscientiously reviewed each comment provided and have made necessary revisions accordingly. Additions to the text have been indicated with red highlights, ensuring transparency in the modifications. Furthermore, our responses to your comments have been meticulously documented in red within the accompanying file. Your dedication to thorough review and constructive criticism is deeply appreciated. Your expertise has undoubtedly enriched the scholarly merit of our work. Thank you once again for your time, effort, and invaluable contributions to the advancement of our research. Sincerely, Xiaodi Zhao [email protected]Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis paper presents a study of the inter-correlation of socio-economic activity and vegetation cover of Yellow river basin, China. It is based on forest resource inventory and socio-economic data for 448 counties in 2008, 2013, and 2018. Authors have to estimate the accuracy of calculation and robustness.
Even so, the paper remains interesting. It is quite well-written (will be interesting for conference audience), organized and clear.
Author Response
Dear Academic Editor and Reviewers,
Re:Manuscript ID: land-2917160
Type of manuscript: Article
Title: Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections
Authors: Benxu Wang, Xuanqin Yang, Yaquan Dou, Qingjun Wu, Guangyu Wang, Ya Li, Xiaodi Zhao*
Received: 20 March 2024
We write to extend our sincere gratitude for your invaluable feedback on our manuscript titled "Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections" (Manuscript ID: land-2917160). Your insightful comments have significantly contributed to the enhancement of our paper's quality.We have conscientiously reviewed each comment provided and have made necessary revisions accordingly. Additions to the text have been indicated with red highlights, ensuring transparency in the modifications. Furthermore, our responses to your comments have been meticulously documented in red within the accompanying file.
Your dedication to thorough review and constructive criticism is deeply appreciated. Your expertise has undoubtedly enriched the scholarly merit of our work.Thank you once again for your time, effort, and invaluable contributions to the advancement of our research.
Sincerely,
Xiaodi Zhao
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Dear authors,
In the context of the global warming, the impact of economic activity and of the human beings over the environment is one of the most trending research. From this perspective, I found this article interesting and useful. The article empirically analyses the spatio-temporal patterns of economic density and vegetation coverage in the Yellow River Basin from China.
The article is well written and structured. The Introduction section is consistent and reference actual and representative studies in the field. At the same time, I think that most of this section can be part of the Literature review section, while Introduction section could be shorter and an introductive one in the field of the study.
The two-way fixed effects model used to analyse the impact of economic density on vegetation coverage represents the strength of the research. At the same time, the way some variables have been measured and what some concepts/words represents are questionable/unclear.
Therefore, I recommend that a major revision is necessary. I explain my concerns in more detail below. I ask that the authors specifically address each of my comments in their response.
Major comments:
1. The article could be structured better. It has an Introduction section, but it doesn’t have a Literature review section (which is in fact included in the Introduction section).
2. It would be more appropriate to includes explained variable and core explanatory variable in the Table 1. Other way, the title of the table should be modified by indicating the fact that is only about control variables.
3. It is necessary to explain better how output value per square kilometre of land has been calculated (economic density). What the output value is? What the level of economic benefits per unit area of land it is and how it is measured?
4. Even if the article includes “Materials and Methods” section, a clear Methodology section is missing. It would be appropriate to includes here the goal of research, questions of research, hypotheses.
5. Regarding control variables “Ratio of added value of the primary industry to the regional gross domestic product (%)” and “Ratio of added value of the secondary industry to the regional gross domestic product (%)” is about the ratio of added value of the primary industry of the county level to the region? It is not clear what these indicators are and how they have been measured.
6. It is necessary to be clearer about some of the concepts used (for example region/regions and county/counties) because some time is confusing. For the readers outside of China it could be difficult to know/understand how the administrative units are organised. For example, “The analysis results reveal that in 2008, certain regions in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River exhibited low vegetation cover.” (rows 196-197). What a region does it means? How many regions does Yellow River Basin includes? It includes XX regions and 488 counties. Also, is difficult for the readers outside of China to know what are the upper, the middle and the lower regions of the Yellow River without putting the river in the maps (or at least in the map from Fig. 1). It is necessary to explain which are the regions from each of those three categories and how many counties does includes. A tabular format would be useful (it could be an annexe).
7. What are the limits of research?
8. What are the policy recommendations for other regions, countries outside of China?
Author Response
Dear Academic Editor and Reviewers,
Re:Manuscript ID: land-2917160
Type of manuscript: Article
Title: Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections
Authors: Benxu Wang, Xuanqin Yang, Yaquan Dou, Qingjun Wu, Guangyu Wang, Ya Li, Xiaodi Zhao*
Received: 20 March 2024
We write to extend our sincere gratitude for your invaluable feedback on our manuscript titled "Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Economic Density and Vegetation Cover in the Yellow River Basin: Unraveling Interconnections" (Manuscript ID: land-2917160). Your insightful comments have significantly contributed to the enhancement of our paper's quality.We have conscientiously reviewed each comment provided and have made necessary revisions accordingly. Additions to the text have been indicated with red highlights, ensuring transparency in the modifications. Furthermore, our responses to your comments have been meticulously documented in red within the accompanying file.
Your dedication to thorough review and constructive criticism is deeply appreciated. Your expertise has undoubtedly enriched the scholarly merit of our work.Thank you once again for your time, effort, and invaluable contributions to the advancement of our research.
Sincerely,
Xiaodi Zhao
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Dear authors,
Thank you for answer and for the improved version of the article. Congratulation and good luck for next interesting and useful research!
