Applying Specific Habitat Indicators to Study Asteraceae Species Diversity Patterns in Mountainous Area of Beijing, China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear editor
The present manuscript investigated the effect of environmental factors (soil, topography and structure of plant communities) on the biodiversity of Asteraceae plants in the mountainous area of Beijing, China. The subject of research is highly attractive. However, there are fundamental flaws in various parts of the manuscript that require detailed and complete revision: the comments are as follows:
Major comments
1- The first two paragraphs of the introduction have little to do with the research topic. The first paragraph talks about the biodiversity-ecosystem function relationship, which is far from the topic of the study. Considering the topic of the research, this section needs to be completely rewritten. In this section, proper information and background should be discussed about the plants of the Asteraceae family, their importance (especially medicinal and economical importance) and the factors influencing their distribution. Also, the plants of the Asteraceae family are introduced as plants resistant or adapted to harsh conditions, which should be further investigated in the introduction.
2- Regarding the impact of environmental factors, the explanations are not complete and need to provide stronger foundations and extent liturarture review. Also, in the field of general mechanisms (hypotheses) in the field of the impact of environmental factors (such as altitude, soil nutrients, etc.) on biodiversity, more suitable materials should be presented. In the last part of the introduction, the objectives are not well stated. Especially, considering the SEM analysis, it is better to talk about the direct and indirect effects of environmental factors.
3- In Section 2.2: It is not clear whether the data analysis is based on 1x1 plot or site dataset. Also, clearly state that the position of the plots in Figure 1 represents the position of the 1x1 plot or the site? Also, regarding the soil data, did the researcher collect samples himself or did he use the Asteraceae species distribution data provided by the China National Earth Center?
4-According to Figure 1, the maximum altitude of the studied area is 2283 meters, but in sampling, the maximum height taken is 770 meters (see in Table 1). It seems that sampling is not a good representation of the entire study area. Also, what is the criterion for measuring stand density index and based on the information of which plants is it calculated?
5- Line 97: Explain how to generate soil raster data. Also, the basics of structure analysis, how to select and reduce variables should be fully explained. Also, considering the absence of a significant effect for the canopy close variable, why was this variable not removed from the final model? Finally, in Table 2, the significance level for direct, indirect and total effects should be presented.
6- Lines 157 to 169: An increase in soil nutrients such as soil organic matter and nitrogen will increase the competition to occupy ecological niches. In this paragraph, some examples should be provided about the competitive power of plants of this family to complete the discussion.
In addition, in line178: Based on the results of the structural model (Figure 3), the canopy close variable has no significant effect on the biodiversity indices of Asteraceae plants. On what basis is this result presented?
7- 188: The conclusion is the repetition of research results. This section should be completely rewritten.
Minor comments:
Line 12: In the presented structural model, there is no significant indirect effect. What is the basis of this result?
Lines 15 to 18: It seems that the sentence is incomplete (Asteraceae species diversity could as an indicator to)
Lines 22 to 24: A more appropriate references should be use. There are many narrative articles on this topic globally.
Line 23: (J. et al.) be corrected.
Lines 29 to 31: Format the references in parentheses either by year or alphabetically. There are two different patterns in these three lines.
Lines 83 to 86: define the components/elements of each relationship.
Lines 119 and 153: Abbreviated names of the variables should be presented as full names in the title
Lines 173 to 176: Add an appropriate reference/s for this sentence.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageModerate editing of English language required
Author Response
Dear editor and reviewers:
Thank you for your letter and the reviewers’ comments on our manuscript entitled " Applying specific habitat indicators to study Asteraceae species diversity patterns in mountainous area of Beijing, China. Those comments are very helpful for revising and improving our paper, as well as the important guiding significance to another research. We have studied the comments carefully and made corrections which we hope meet with approval. The main corrections are in the manuscript and the responds to the reviewers’ comments are as follows (the replies are highlighted in blue). Thank you very much.
Lin Zhang, Shi Qi
Reviewer 1：
Dear editor
The present manuscript investigated the effect of environmental factors (soil, topography and structure of plant communities) on the biodiversity of Asteraceae plants in the mountainous area of Beijing, China. The subject of research is highly attractive. However, there are fundamental flaws in various parts of the manuscript that require detailed and complete revision: the comments are as follows:
Major comments
1- The first two paragraphs of the introduction have little to do with the research topic. The first paragraph talks about the biodiversity-ecosystem function relationship, which is far from the topic of the study. Considering the topic of the research, this section needs to be completely rewritten. In this section, proper information and background should be discussed about the plants of the Asteraceae family, their importance (especially medicinal and economical importance) and the factors influencing their distribution. Also, the plants of the Asteraceae family are introduced as plants resistant or adapted to harsh conditions, which should be further investigated in the introduction.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it. We've rewritten the introduction.
2- Regarding the impact of environmental factors, the explanations are not complete and need to provide stronger foundations and extent liturarture review. Also, in the field of general mechanisms (hypotheses) in the field of the impact of environmental factors (such as altitude, soil nutrients, etc.) on biodiversity, more suitable materials should be presented. In the last part of the introduction, the objectives are not well stated. Especially, considering the SEM analysis, it is better to talk about the direct and indirect effects of environmental factors.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
3- In Section 2.2: It is not clear whether the data analysis is based on 1x1 plot or site dataset. Also, clearly state that the position of the plots in Figure 1 represents the position of the 1x1 plot or the site? Also, regarding the soil data, did the researcher collect samples himself or did he use the Asteraceae species distribution data provided by the China National Earth Center?
Response: we investigated 112 Platycladus orientalis forest sample sites (20m×20m), and randomly laid out ten 1 m × 1 m samples in each standard sample plot, We randomly collected ten soil samples from the 0-10 cm soil layer using a 100 cm3 standard soil sampler to measure basic soil physical and chemical properties. Soil nutrients data of study sites is modified by the measured soil nutrients data by means of Kriging interpolation.
4-According to Figure 1, the maximum altitude of the studied area is 2283 meters, but in sampling, the maximum height taken is 770 meters (see in Table 1). It seems that sampling is not a good representation of the entire study area. Also, what is the criterion for measuring stand density index and based on the information of which plants is it calculated?
Response: We only studied understory diversity of Platycladus orientalis forest, and Platycladus orientalis plantations are mainly located at elevations between 150-800m. Stand density refers to the number of trees per unit area.
5- Line 97: Explain how to generate soil raster data. Also, the basics of structure analysis, how to select and reduce variables should be fully explained. Also, considering the absence of a significant effect for the canopy close variable, why was this variable not removed from the final model? Finally, in Table 2, the significance level for direct, indirect and total effects should be presented.
Response:
1 Soil nutrients data of study sites is modified by the measured soil nutrients data by means of Kriging interpolation.
2 Stand density can reflect the degree of spatial utilization and internal horizontal structure of trees, which affects tree growth and morphology, stand productivity, and the stability of the ecosystem.
Canopy closure directly determines the effective light intensity within the forest, and takes a redistributive effect on light, heat, water, fertilizer and other resources within the forest, thus directly affecting understory herbaceous diversity. Therefore, we explored the effects of stand density and depression on understory diversity.
3 We have reconstructed the structural equation model, considering the absence of a significant effect for the canopy close variable, this variable has removed from the final model.
6- Lines 157 to 169: An increase in soil nutrients such as soil organic matter and nitrogen will increase the competition to occupy ecological niches. In this paragraph, some examples should be provided about the competitive power of plants of this family to complete the discussion.
In addition, in line178: Based on the results of the structural model (Figure 3), the canopy close variable has no significant effect on the biodiversity indices of Asteraceae plants. On what basis is this result presented?
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
7- 188: The conclusion is the repetition of research results. This section should be completely rewritten.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Minor comments:
Line 12: In the presented structural model, there is no significant indirect effect. What is the basis of this result?
Response: Indirect impact effects are less than significant and are dominated by direct impacts.
Lines 15 to 18: It seems that the sentence is incomplete (Asteraceae species diversity could as an indicator to)
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Lines 22 to 24: A more appropriate references should be use. There are many narrative articles on this topic globally.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Line 23: (J. et al.) be corrected.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Lines 29 to 31: Format the references in parentheses either by year or alphabetically. There are two different patterns in these three lines.
Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Lines 83 to 86: define the components/elements of each relationship.
Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Lines 119 and 153: Abbreviated names of the variables should be presented as full names in the title
Lines 173 to 176: Add an appropriate reference/s for this sentence.
Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Comments on the Quality of English Language: Moderate editing of English language required
Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Once again, thank you very much for your constructive comments and suggestions which will help to improve the quality of the Paper.
Kind regards.
First author: Lin Zhang
E-mail: [email protected]
Corresponding author: Shi Qi
E-mail: [email protected]
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The current study assessed the impact of habitat characteristics on the floristic diversity of Asteraceae members. Climate change is a burning issue and it put serious impact on the distribution and diversity of both flora and fauna. It is the need of time to filter most promising factors, which can help in the conservation of important flora like members of Asteraceae and others. Looking to the title, it looks good and upto dated, however, some corrections are needs to be addressed which would be beneficial for the improvement and would attract the readers.
Abstract.
Line 11. Delete the word “among these factors”.
Introduction.
Line 23. The cited reference i.e. J. et al. 2022, needs correction.
Line 24-25. The statement needs support by valid reference and I would suggest https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11101469
Line 31-34. The statement needs support by valid reference.
Line 41-43. The sentence is a bit confusing and fails to deliver a clear message. The authors are advised to revise.
Line 43-46. The sentence is too long and difficult to understand. It needs revision.
Methodology
Line 60-62. The authors have mentioned mountainous area of China, which is very broad. However, study area was specifically mentioned in line 60-62. I would recommend to mention these area in Title as well. For example “in mountainous areas of Beijing.
Line 60-66. This paragraph was noted with many typo mistakes. It needs a good look from the author.
As the current work is not enough, so, I would suggest to classify the samples sites into various Asteraceae vegetation types by using Ward’s agglomerative clustering analysis techniques.
The authors have mentioned only Asteraceae species, but ignored the types (names) of plants from Asteracese family.
Along with Asteraceae members, the authors have ignored other plants in the sampled area. It needs to be mentioned.
Anthropogenic disturbance is also one of the key factor, the authors must include it.
Discussion
Line 159-160 “for plant growth and is the main source of vegetation nutrients and can promote the growth and development of plants” instead of “for plant growth, which was one of the main sources of vegetation nutrition and can promote the growth and development of plants”.
Line 175. I am seeing this line with repetition of word, which not looks good in scientific writing.
Line 170-177. This paragraph is explaining and focusing on results rather than discussion. The author needs to go through some papers focusing on the impact of environmental variables on vegetation.
Line 178-184. The sentence is too large and difficult to understand.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
needs revision from native speaker
Author Response
Dear editor and reviewers:
Thank you for your letter and the reviewers’ comments on our manuscript entitled " Applying specific habitat indicators to study Asteraceae species diversity patterns in mountainous area of Beijing, China. Those comments are very helpful for revising and improving our paper, as well as the important guiding significance to another research. We have studied the comments carefully and made corrections which we hope meet with approval. The main corrections are in the manuscript and the responds to the reviewers’ comments are as follows (the replies are highlighted in blue). Thank you very much.
Lin Zhang, Shi Qi
Reviewer 2：
The current study assessed the impact of habitat characteristics on the floristic diversity of Asteraceae members. Climate change is a burning issue and it put serious impact on the distribution and diversity of both flora and fauna. It is the need of time to filter most promising factors, which can help in the conservation of important flora like members of Asteraceae and others. Looking to the title, it looks good and upto dated, however, some corrections are needs to be addressed which would be beneficial for the improvement and would attract the readers.
Abstract.
Line 11. Delete the word “among these factors”.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Introduction.
Line 23. The cited reference i.e. J. et al. 2022, needs correction.
Line 24-25. The statement needs support by valid reference and I would suggest https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11101469
Line 31-34. The statement needs support by valid reference.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have added relevant references.
Ali, F.; Khan, N.; Rahmonov, O. Ecosystem Services and Linkages of Naturally Managed Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. Forests with Local Communities across Contiguous Mountainous Ranges in Pakistan. Biology , 2022, 11, 1469.
Bilal, A.; Wang,Y.; Jia, H.; Liu,Y.; Eve, B.; Zhang,K. Optimizing stand structure for trade‐offs between overstory timber production and understory plant diversity: A case‐study of a larch plantation in northwest China. Land Degradation & Development, 2018, 29.
Line 41-43. The sentence is a bit confusing and fails to deliver a clear message. The authors are advised to revise.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
In addition, the content of soil nutrients are also the main factors affecting the growth and distribution of understory species.
Line 43-46. The sentence is too long and difficult to understand. It needs revision.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
In the current research on understory species diversity, it mainly concerns the effects of environmental factors and structure on species composition and diversity.
Methodology
Line 60-62. The authors have mentioned mountainous area of China, which is very broad. However, study area was specifically mentioned in line 60-62. I would recommend to mention these area in Title as well. For example “in mountainous areas of Beijing.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it. The Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Phase II Forestry Project in Beijing is mainly distributed in its mountainous areas (39°12’-41°05’N, 115°25’- 117°30’ E.), and covers about 10,400 km2. The areas belong to a warm temperate semi-humid monsoon climate, with an average annual precipitation from 470 to 660mm and an average yearly temperature from 11 to 13°C. Land use types are mainly woodland and grassland. Zonal soils are mainly composed of meadow soil, mountainous brown forest soil and mountainous cinnamon soil.
Line 60-66. This paragraph was noted with many typo mistakes. It needs a good look from the author.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
As the current work is not enough, so, I would suggest to classify the samples sites into various Asteraceae vegetation types by using Ward’s agglomerative clustering analysis techniques.
The authors have mentioned only Asteraceae species, but ignored the types (names) of plants from Asteracese family.
Along with Asteraceae members, the authors have ignored other plants in the sampled area. It needs to be mentioned.
Response: We investigated all herb species in the sampled area. We only study Asteraceae species diversity, the herb layer species belonged to 29 families and 51 genera, and Compositae, Rosaceae, and Liliaceae were the dominant species under Platycladus orientalis forest in Beijing’s mountainous areas.
Anthropogenic disturbance is also one of the key factor, the authors must include it.
Response: we selected Platycladus orientalis plantations that were subject to less human disturbance and had better growing conditions as our research objects. Therefore, we do not consider the impact of human activities on understory diversity.
Discussion
Line 159-160 “for plant growth and is the main source of vegetation nutrients and can promote the growth and development of plants” instead of “for plant growth, which was one of the main sources of vegetation nutrition and can promote the growth and development of plants”.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Line 175. I am seeing this line with repetition of word, which not looks good in scientific writing.
Line 170-177. This paragraph is explaining and focusing on results rather than discussion. The author needs to go through some papers focusing on the impact of environmental variables on vegetation.
Line 178-184. The sentence is too large and difficult to understand.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Canopy closure directly determines the effective light intensity within the forest, and takes a redistributive effect on light, heat, water, fertilizer and other resources within the forest, thus directly affecting understory herbaceous diversity.
Comments on the Quality of English Language: needs revision from native speaker
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Once again, thank you very much for your constructive comments and suggestions which will help to improve the quality of the Paper.
Kind regards.
First author: Lin Zhang
E-mail: [email protected]
Corresponding author: Shi Qi
E-mail: [email protected]
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear editor
The authors have modified the article based on the comments. It seems that the article is ready for publication, however, some minor corrections are still needed.
1- The word Asteraceae should be written in italics in all texts.
2- The word Platycladus orientalis should be written as inalim (line 71).
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageMinor editing of English language required
Author Response
The authors have modified the article based on the comments. It seems that the article is ready for publication, however, some minor corrections are still needed.
1- The word Asteraceae should be written in italics in all texts.
2- The word Platycladus orientalis should be written as inalim (line 71).
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors have put a good work (but not enough) for the improvement of the MS.
The following are need to address before final decision.
Line 09. Biodiversity conservation and reducing biodiversity loss is same thing. The authors are advised to keep one.
Line 25 -26. I would suggest to delete this sentence “Asteraceae plants, as the group 25 with the largest number of invasive plants in China”.
Line 29-31. With the intensification of global climate change and the impact of human activities, Asteraceae species have been sharply reduced, Asteraceae community ecosystem protection is facing with unprecedented difficulties
Needs replacement by
With the intensification of global climate change and the impact of human activities, Asteraceae community ecosystems have been sharply reduced and its protection is facing unprecedented difficulties.
Line 33. Why the authors mentioned forest management. To my best known knowledge, forest term is used for trees. Here the authors are not working on tree. Needs a proper look and correction.
Line 35- 40. Poorly written. The authors are advised to rewrite this section after studying relevant papers.
Line 42-45. Same issue. I am not agree with English standards.
Line 47-53. Needs revision. Some of the statements are not sounding good like all of the used methods are difficult….
Line 70-79. Why the authors have ignored citations in the text. This is methodology section and every procedure of data collection must be properly cited.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
The authors have put a good work (but not enough) for the improvement of the MS.
The following are need to address before final decision.
Line 09. Biodiversity conservation and reducing biodiversity loss is same thing. The authors are advised to keep one.
Line 25 -26. I would suggest to delete this sentence “Asteraceae plants, as the group 25 with the largest number of invasive plants in China”.
Line 29-31. With the intensification of global climate change and the impact of human activities, Asteraceae species have been sharply reduced, Asteraceae community ecosystem protection is facing with unprecedented difficulties
Needs replacement by
With the intensification of global climate change and the impact of human activities, Asteraceae community ecosystems have been sharply reduced and its protection is facing unprecedented difficulties.
Line 33. Why the authors mentioned forest management. To my best known knowledge, forest term is used for trees. Here the authors are not working on tree. Needs a proper look and correction.
Line 35- 40. Poorly written. The authors are advised to rewrite this section after studying relevant papers.
Line 42-45. Same issue. I am not agree with English standards.
Line 47-53. Needs revision. Some of the statements are not sounding good like all of the used methods are difficult….
Line 70-79. Why the authors have ignored citations in the text. This is methodology section and every procedure of data collection must be properly cited.
Author Response
Line 09. Biodiversity conservation and reducing biodiversity loss is same thing. The authors are advised to keep one.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Line 25 -26. I would suggest to delete this sentence “Asteraceae plants, as the group 25 with the largest number of invasive plants in China”.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Line 29-31. With the intensification of global climate change and the impact of human activities, Asteraceae species have been sharply reduced, Asteraceae community ecosystem protection is facing with unprecedented difficulties
With the intensification of global climate change and the impact of human activities, Asteraceae community ecosystems have been sharply reduced and its protection is facing unprecedented difficulties.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it. We have rewritten the sentence
Line 33. Why the authors mentioned forest management. To my best known knowledge, forest term is used for trees. Here the authors are not working on tree. Needs a proper look and correction.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have rewritten the sentence.
Line 35- 40. Poorly written. The authors are advised to rewrite this section after studying relevant papers.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have rewritten the introduction.
Line 42-45. Same issue. I am not agree with English standards.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it.
Line 47-53. Needs revision. Some of the statements are not sounding good like all of the used methods are difficult….
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it. We have rewritten the introduction.
Line 70-79. Why the authors have ignored citations in the text. This is methodology section and every procedure of data collection must be properly cited.
Response: Thank you, as your kindly suggestions, we have revised it. we have added relevant references.
