Incredible Host Diversity and Regional Potential Distribution of an Oriental Parasitic Plant (Taxillus yadoriki)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments

Abstract

Line 31 T. yadoriki repeated and remove any one add it was.. sentence to long need to modified

Line 37 eight environmental factors need to be added

Line 43 in key words add Taxillus yadoriki remove resources plant

Introduction

 In  end of the Introduction need to includes more about your  research work,

2. Materials and Methods

Need to add about software and tool used for phylodiversity in this study.

missing of eight environmental factors,  

(1) Field Research

Line 99  A total of eight field surveys were conducted from January to May 2021 99 on Jeju Island, need to mention time interval of each survey.

Text is showing January to May 2021 

But in Figure 1. Geography and bioclimate of the study area (1992-2021). Need to Modified this caption, elaborate with name of study area, add month in 1992-2021

 In (2) Distribution Modeling add latest reference.

. Results and Discussion Need to add how corelate field research with modelling

Author Response

Abstract
Line 31 T. yadoriki repeated and remove any one add it was.. sentence to long need to modified
(reflected) The word has been removed. 
Line 37 eight environmental factors need to be added
(partial reflection) The eight environmental factors have been supplemented in detail in the ‘materials and methods’.
Line 43 in key words add Taxillus yadoriki remove resources plant
(reflected) The word has been changed. 

Introduction
In end of the Introduction need to includes more about your research work,
(reflected) We added our research intent and differentiation.

2. Materials and Methods
Need to add about software and tool used for phylodiversity in this study.
(partial reflection) We have supplemented the description of software and tools related to the study. In the case of the phylodiversity part, it was stated in the methodology that the method was taken to visually identify the specimen and store the specimen in an herbarium.

missing of eight environmental factors,  
(reflected) Explanations have been added for eight environmental factors, and the process selected for model analysis has been supplemented.

(1) Field Research
Line 99  A total of eight field surveys were conducted from January to May 2021 99 on Jeju Island, need to mention time interval of each survey. Text is showing January to May 2021. But in Figure 1. Geography and bioclimate of the study area (1992-2021). Need to Modified this caption, elaborate with name of study area, add month in 1992-2021
(edited and added) Jeju island is the southernmost part of the Korean Peninsula and has an area of approximately 1,850㎢. It is and oval-shaped island that is wide form east to west. The climate is characterized by high temperature and precipitation in summer, low temperature and dry climate in winter (Fig. 1). 

In (2) Distribution Modeling add latest reference.
(reflected) We have added and supplemented recent references related modeling.

Results and Discussion Need to add how corelate field research with modelling
(reflected) Field research and modeling are additionally described in ‘Results and Discussion’.

Reviewer 2 Report

Review of "Incredible Host Diversity and Regional Potential Distribution of an Oriental Parasitic Plant (Taxillus yadoriki)"

General comments:

The study on the host diversity and potential distribution of Taxillus yadoriki on Jeju Island is fascinating and valuable for understanding the ecology of this parasitic plant. However, several aspects of the study need further clarification and improvement to enhance its scientific rigour and credibility. Detailed comments and suggestions for each section of the manuscript are provided below.

1. Introduction:

The introduction provides a comprehensive overview of parasitic plants and their classification, which is helpful. However, it lacks clarity on the specific aims and significance of the study. Clearly state the research objectives and the novelty of the study in relation to the existing literature.

Provide recent references to support the background information, as some citations date back to the 1990s.

2. Materials and Methods:

The methodology section lacks details on the specific procedures used to collect and analyse data. Describe in more detail the sampling procedures used to identify host plants and their attachment characteristics. Also explain how the species distribution model was created, including parameter settings and validation methods.

Explain how the environmental variables were selected for the species distribution model and justify their relevance to the ecology of Taxillus yadoriki.

Include information on potential biases or limitations associated with the methodology, such as sampling biases or assumptions underlying the species distribution modelling.

3. Results and discussion:

The results section presents comprehensive findings on the distribution range, host plant diversity and attachment characteristics of Taxillus yadoriki. However, the discussion lacks depth in interpreting the ecological implications of the results. Conduct a more in-depth analysis and discussion of the ecological relationships between Taxillus yadoriki and its host plants, including conservation and management implications.

Consider including statistical analyses or comparisons with previous studies to support the significance of the results.

Clarify any discrepancies or uncertainties in the data, such as the absence of Actinodaphne lancifolia, although it is mentioned in the literature.

4. Conclusion:

The conclusion summarises the main findings well, but could be improved by highlighting the broader implications of the study for conservation and management strategies.

Provide clear recommendations for future research directions based on the study results, particularly with regard to the cultivation and management of Taxillus yadoriki as a medicinal plant.

Overall:

While the study provides valuable insights into the host diversity and distribution of Taxillus yadoriki, addressing the above points would improve the scientific accuracy and clarity of the manuscript. Also, ensure that language and terminology are precise and consistent throughout the manuscript. The preparation of the literature according to the requirements of the journal Forests also requires special attention (see "Guidelines for authors"). Overall, the manuscript has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of parasitic plant ecology if the revisions address these concerns.

Author Response

Reviewer 2
General comments:
The study on the host diversity and potential distribution of Taxillus yadoriki on Jeju Island is fascinating and valuable for understanding the ecology of this parasitic plant. However, several aspects of the study need further clarification and improvement to enhance its scientific rigour and credibility. Detailed comments and suggestions for each section of the manuscript are provided below.

1. Introduction:
The introduction provides a comprehensive overview of parasitic plants and their classification, which is helpful. However, it lacks clarity on the specific aims and significance of the study. Clearly state the research objectives and the novelty of the study in relation to the existing literature.
Provide recent references to support the background information, as some citations date back to the 1990s.
(reflected) The purpose and significance of the study were described in more detail, and recent references on related research were provided. However, there was very little research on the T. yadoriki, so there were limited papers available for reference.

2. Materials and Methods:
The methodology section lacks details on the specific procedures used to collect and analyse data. Describe in more detail the sampling procedures used to identify host plants and their attachment characteristics. Also explain how the species distribution model was created, including parameter settings and validation methods.
(reflected) We have supplemented our research methods on parasitic characteristics. In addition, the parameter settings and validation methods used in the distribution model analysis are described in more detail.
Explain how the environmental variables were selected for the species distribution model and justify their relevance to the ecology of Taxillus yadoriki.
(reflected) The construction and selection process of environmental variables is described in more detail.

Include information on potential biases or limitations associated with the methodology, such as sampling biases or assumptions underlying the species distribution modelling.
(reflected) The feasibility and limitations of the choice of modeling algorithm were described, and recent research literature using similar methods was cited.

3. Results and discussion:
The results section presents comprehensive findings on the distribution range, host plant diversity and attachment characteristics of Taxillus yadoriki. However, the discussion lacks depth in interpreting the ecological implications of the results. Conduct a more in-depth analysis and discussion of the ecological relationships between Taxillus yadoriki and its host plants, including conservation and management implications.
(reflected) We have added information on ecological significance in terms of conservation and management.
Consider including statistical analyses or comparisons with previous studies to support the significance of the results.
(partial reflected) Content has been added to emphasize the importance of the results, and references have also been supplemented. Additionally, it was stated that additional research is needed in the future due to the lack of related research.
Clarify any discrepancies or uncertainties in the data, such as the absence of Actinodaphne lancifolia, although it is mentioned in the literature.
(checked and edited) We re-checked the data on the species and revised the content.
4. Conclusion:
The conclusion summarises the main findings well, but could be improved by highlighting the broader implications of the study for conservation and management strategies. Provide clear recommendations for future research directions based on the study results, particularly with regard to the cultivation and management of Taxillus yadoriki as a medicinal plant.
(reflected) In the conclusion, the potential of T. yadoriki and future research directions are additionally described.
Overall:
While the study provides valuable insights into the host diversity and distribution of Taxillus yadoriki, addressing the above points would improve the scientific accuracy and clarity of the manuscript. Also, ensure that language and terminology are precise and consistent throughout the manuscript. The preparation of the literature according to the requirements of the journal Forests also requires special attention (see "Guidelines for authors"). Overall, the manuscript has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of parasitic plant ecology if the revisions address these concerns.
Thanks to your valuable comments, I think the paper’ shortcomings have been supplemented and improved.