Thinning Effects on Aboveground Biomass Increments in Both the Overstory and Understory of Masson Pine Forests

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thinning Effects on Aboveground Biomass Increments in both 2 Overstory and Understory of Masson Pine Forests

This manuscript describes the assessment of the effects of thinning on aboveground biomass increments in both the overstory and understory.
The study was conducted at three sites with apparent similar weather, soil, elevation.
 
I feel that there should be a short discussion on the differences/similarities between the three sites on weather (precipitation, temperature), soil, radiation, etc., to better support the results.

The study was well conducted, the methodology adequate, the results are clear and the conclusions follow the discussion.

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have studied comments carefully and have made correction which we hope meet with approval. The revisions are marked as red in the manuscript.

Comments 1. I feel that there should be a short discussion on the differences/similarities between the three sites on weather (precipitation, temperature), soil, radiation, etc., to better support the results.
Response：Following the advice of the reviewer, we added a sentence in the discussion section: “The three sites exhibit similar climates, topographies, and stand conditions to ensure a stable and reliable thinning effect.” (Line 464-465) 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Abstract

Line 18-19, “The differences of biomass ……….. using repeated measures ANOVA”: First, the sentence needs to be edited, because it is a bit vague. Secondly, in the title of the article and in the purpose of the research (previous sentence), there is no mention of the effect of thinning on the species diversity index of trees.

Line 33-37: It seems that the period of 6 years is too short to investigate the impact of thinning operations on tree species diversity indicators.

 

Introduction

Line 71-83: One of the other important issues that are considered by forest managers in determining the time, method and intensity of the thinning operation is the effect of the thinning operation on the possibility of snow and wind hazards in the years after thinning. In my opinion, it is better to refer to the issue of the risks of snow and wind in thinned stands in relation with the intensity of thinning.

 

Materials and methods

Figure 2: Please indicate what operations have been performed in the unmarked (empty) plots in blocks 2, 4 and 6.

Line 163-164: I think you mean "tree removed" in terms of number or basal area and not in terms of standing volume. In this case, complete. In fact, what is meant by the tree removed percentage is to determine whether it is based on the number of trees or the volume of trees or basal area of trees.

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have studied comments carefully and have made correction which we hope meet with approval. The revisions are marked as red in the manuscript.

Comments 1. Line 18-19, “The differences of biomass … using repeated measures ANOVA”: First, the sentence needs to be edited, because it is a bit vague. Secondly, in the title of the article and in the purpose of the research (previous sentence), there is no mention of the effect of thinning on the species diversity index of trees.

Response：We are sorry for our negligence of literal expression. We have already modified the sentence (Line 12-13) to correspond with the subsequent content on tree diversity. Moreover, we have also made modifications to Line 18-19. In revised manuscript, Line 12-13 state: “The main objective of our study was to assess the effects of thinning on aboveground biomass increments and tree diversity in both the overstory and understory”. The Line 18-19 state: “The differences in biomass increment and tree diversity among the different treatments were compared using repeated measures ANOVA.”

Comments 2. Line 33-37: It seems that the period of 6 years is too short to investigate the impact of thinning operations on tree species diversity indicators.

Response: As the reviewers are concerned, the effects of thinning on tree species diversity may not be apparent in the short term. This situation is particularly common in boreal forest during thinning treatments. In subtropical regions, the factors of climate, environment, and tree species significantly influence seedling or sampling regeneration and growth approximately six years post-thinning. This phenomenon has been corroborated by previous studies. In this study, in terms of biomass increment, thinning treatments (e.g., moderate thinning) can exhibit their positive effects within approximately six years. We believe that Line 33-35 in the abstract can succinctly summarize the research content.

Comments 3. Line 71-83: One of the other important issues that are considered by forest managers in determining the time, method and intensity of the thinning operation is the effect of the thinning operation on the possibility of snow and wind hazards in the years after thinning. In my opinion, it is better to refer to the issue of the risks of snow and wind in thinned stands in relation with the intensity of thinning.

Response：Following the advice of the reviewer, we added Line 79-82 and a new reference: “Reports have indicated that snow disturbances significantly influence tree growth in managed forests with varying thinning intensities [22]. This influence is primarily reflected across different forest strata”.

Comments 4. Figure 2: Please indicate what operations have been performed in the unmarked (empty) plots in blocks 2, 4 and 6.

Response：We have added Line 141: “Unmarked plots are unsuitable for thinning”. Due to the systematic distribution of sample plots, some areas may be unsuitable for thinning (e.g., lacking forest cover), and these areas are marked as "Unmarked."

Comments 5. Line 163-164: I think you mean "tree removed" in terms of number or basal area and not in terms of standing volume. In this case, complete. In fact, what is meant by the tree removed percentage is to determine whether it is based on the number of trees or the volume of trees or basal area of trees.

Response：Following the advice of the reviewer, we have specified the number of trees to be thinned. For instance, heavy thinning (HT, 35-45% of the trees by number were removed). (Line 162)

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article contains a very rich research material concerning the influence of thinning on growth and biodiversity of forest communities. The most important result obtained is a conclusion about optimal moderate intensity of treatment. In a case of heavy thinning some positive trends are lost - it is well documented with a use of a great package of statistical tools.

In attached file there are some small comments to presentation of results and suggestions of small corrections of the text, especially in a chapter "Materials and methods", where some parts should be described more precisely.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. We have studied comments carefully and have made correction which we hope meet with approval. The revisions are marked as red in the manuscript.

Comments 1. In attached file there are some small comments to presentation of results and suggestions of small corrections of the text, especially in a chapter "Materials and methods", where some parts should be described more precisely.

Response：

Ø We have updated the email address for Affiliation 2 (Line 7).

Ø We have specified the number of sampled trees. (Line 187)

Ø “Specie” in the table S1 --> “Species”

Ø “NahCO₃” (Line 226) ---> “NaHCO₃”

Ø An empty page was deleted.