Cost Analysis of Seed Conservation of Commercial Pine Species Vulnerable to Climate Change in Mexico
, Norma I. RodrÃguez-Arévalo 5, Patricia D. Dávila-Aranda 4,* and Tiziana Ulian 6Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Review for “Economic assessment of seed storage of commercial pine species under future climate change scenarios in Mexico”
[Forests] Manuscript ID: forests-1541394
This manuscript attempts to evaluate the cost of seed storage of four Pinus species and the future value under uncertainty as it pertains to commercial forest timber production in Mexico. The paper is generally well-written and would be appropriate for the journal. Results of such study could have interesting implications. The simulation method appears valid. In my view, this manuscript presents a worthwhile study that is interesting for the readers of this journal. My concern is with the novelty of the study context and the findings. The conclusions are very short and reads more like repeat results than true conclusions. There is no discussion of the relevant opportunities and needs for further research. The author fails to step beyond the confines of the specific study, as a result, has little to communicate that is relevant to a broader audience. The paper will need to be much better grounded in the literature. I also encourage the authors to outline questions for future research, practical implications of your findings/conclusions for forest landowners and policy makers, and limitations of your study. These are important factors that should be considered in refereed papers. Provided the following set of text corrections is performed.
- 1, L. 37: occupies → occupy
- 1, L. 39: 45? Word and punctuation missing?
- 1, L. 41: with
- 1, L. 45-46: negatively could → could negatively
- 2, L. 61: On other hand → On the other hand
- 2, L. 62: But also, both, ex situ and in situ conservation, → But, both ex situ and in situ conservation
- 2, L. 68: In Mexico → In Mexico,
- 2, L. 71: For doing so, we also can → We can also
- 2, L. 75-76: There are a → A; that
- 3, L. 111: of pines → pines
- 3, L. 122: of For doing so we → We
- 5, L. 150: It seems odd to put all equations in a table, check with the journal’s editor.
- 5, L. 150: Table 2, equation 3, what does ‘CV’ stands for? Typo? It should be VC.
- 5, L. 154: expressed in the Equation 3 of the table 2.→ expressed in Equation 3.
- 5, L. 166: on compound interest rate→ on the compound interest rate
- 7, L. 197: Table 4, Why some transpotation and other cots are zero?
- 7, L. 197: Table 4, in the row of (2) Permits and shipment of seeds, these zero values should be blank.
- 7, L. 202: (CT) → (TC); Keep all variables consistant.
- 8, L. 206: Table 6, in the first row, CV CF CT → VC FC TC; Again, double check and keep consistant.
- 8, L. 222-223: until year 2050 → until the year 2050
- 9, L. 245: similarity → a similarity
- 10, L. 298: an accession → accession
- 10, L. 301: USA → the USA
- 11, L. 318: that are
- 11, L. 320: an accession → accession
Finally, the entire manuscript needs careful editing paying particular attention to English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure so that the goals and results of the research are clear to the reader. In particular, there are a lot of definite and indefinite articles missing.
Author Response
See attached file
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
An analysis of ex-situ cost of collecting and storing pine seeds for possible climate change scenarios represents just a popularity façade. If the pine species identified in the manuscript are so important to the timber economy of Mexico, it would seem rational to examine the economic feasibility of establishing seed orchards to produce pine seeds for whatever purposes.
The analyses presented, while technically correct, are of relative minor interests to most readers.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The idea of assessing the cost of seed storage was interesting.
No information was provided about the stands.
Which are the seed potential of these stands? The AMMT was the only criteria for selection?
Two scenarios were investigated: (i) a severe climate change – with a decrease of precipitation and increase of temperature, (ii) a conservative scenario where both temperature and precipitation decreased. What was the reason to analyse the AMMT like only criteria for selection?
The costs of seeds collection and storage depend on the location of the stands, North-South or central? Why was the reason to repeat the same information for every species and location point?
The first conclusion is quite bold.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Nothing has really changed. I would suggest that the authors go back to the drawing board to make a serious attempt to establish the seed orchards necessary to preserve the genetic materials of the pine species.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The main idea of this article is to identify the area for seed collection according to AMMT.
The value of seed storage depends only on the region, not the species. So I do not understand the reason for table 9. Please explain or change.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
