European Beech Masting Cycles and the Spatial Distribution of Wisents in the Bieszczady Mountains, Poland

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1.       The title of the article promises "European beech masting cycles etc.", but it is only focused on the situation in Poland. I recommend that the authors consider whether it would be appropriate to modify the title.

2.       Abstract on line 12 "with 2.4 gdry.matter/m²" the unit needs to be adjusted.

3.       The introduction briefly summarizes the current information on the issue of connections and relationships between the occurrence of bison and tree seeds. The authors did not list in great detail other possible fruits, seeds, or plants in the wild that serve as attractive forage for bison and that may affect the presence and movement of bison in the landscape. I recommend supplementing this introductory section.

4.       The description of chapter 2. Study area, material, and methods is brief. From the description in this chapter 2. Study area, material and methods, it seems that the authors dealt with the collection of beech trees and their evaluation. The method of analyzing the structure of forests and trees, as well as determining the occurrence of bison, their number, movement in the landscape, and tracking their stay on pasture is not sufficiently described. Are these data taken from other authors?

5.       Minor formal deficiencies need to be corrected, e.g. line 79 lacks a space between a digit and a unit. I recommend checking the entire text.

6.       In this chapter, Figure 1 is interesting. However, it would be more interesting to present the picture in color so that the landscape features can be more easily recognized.

7.       The text would certainly be more interesting if the authors added more information about their own activities and the pictures from this research would also be interesting.

8.       Results - In the text accompanying Table 1, the description and unit (g dry matter/m²±SD) need to be modified. I recommend considering whether the name of the quantity would be suitable, e.g. area weight of dry matter (g·m^-2 ± SD); or dry matter of specific area (g·m^-2 ± SD).

9.       Discussion is very brief; I recommend you consider supplementing this section with a comparison of results with other authors.

10.   Conclusions briefly summarize the research results.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper is interesting, but it needs further improvements.

Introduction

Needs clear improvements with the inclusion of more references at internation al level.

The theoretical background also needs to be more detailed. What is the main body of knowledge?

2. Study area, material and methods-The number of sampled plots seems quite low to the conclusions mentioned in the study.

Dimensions of randomly allocated 70 quadrate plots were 1x1m.-Why not a larger dimension to compensate the number of plots.

Results the statistical analysis seems quite basic.

Discussion-Very limited. Needs to be devemped. Other studies should be mention to discuss the results.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Title

*The title does not clearly convey the study's specific objectives or hypotheses. It should be more descriptive regarding the aspects of masting cycles and spatial distribution being examined.

* The title should specify whether the study includes any particular factors influencing masting cycles and distribution patterns (e.g., climate, soil, human impact).

* The title lacks articles that are necessary for proper grammatical structure. For instance, "European beech masting cycles and the spatial distribution of [correct term] in the Bieszczady Mountains" would be more grammatically correct.

Abstract

*The abstract should clearly state the hypothesis or research question. While it mentions the comparison of wisents' distribution with beechnut availability, it lacks a clear hypothesis.

* The conclusion that habitat selection cannot be explained by mast years could be elaborated to provide more context or implications for future research or conservation efforts.

* The abstract includes specific data points (e.g., 2.4 g dry matter/m2 and 238.8 g dry matter/m2) but does not provide statistical significance or context for these values. Including statistical analyses would strengthen the findings.

* The abstract mentions the years 2013 and 2022, but it does not explain why these years were chosen or if they are representative of typical masting cycles.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense for completed research. For example, "Changes in the distribution of concentration areas of wisents were compared with the availability of beechnut crops."

* The use of commas needs to be improved for readability. For instance, "shows, that within kernel 95% area their proportion was considerable" should be "shows that within the kernel 95% area, their proportion was considerable."

* Ensure consistency in units (e.g., "g dry matter/m2" should be written consistently) and avoid abbreviations without explanation.

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g dry matter/m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" can be split for clarity.

* Ensure proper formatting of scientific terms and units (e.g., "gdry.matter/m2" should be "g dry matter/m2").

* The study appears to provide valuable insights into the relationship between European bison distribution and beech masting cycles, specifically in the context of the Bieszczady Mountains. The comparison over two distinct masting years (2013 and 2022) and the detailed data on beechnut availability suggest a novel approach. However, the novelty could be better highlighted by discussing how these findings differ from previous studies or what new perspectives they bring to the field of wildlife ecology and management.

Int The introduction effectively sets up the context for the study but could more clearly articulate the specific hypothesis and objectives. The hypothesis is mentioned at the end, but it would be more impactful if it were stated earlier.roduction

* The introduction reviews relevant literature but could benefit from a more critical analysis of existing studies. Highlighting gaps or inconsistencies in current knowledge would strengthen the rationale for the study.

* The references are cited appropriately, but a more detailed discussion of key studies would be beneficial. For instance, discussing the methodologies and findings of cited works in more depth would provide a stronger foundation for the study.

* The specific time frames (e.g., "November 2012-August 2013" and "November 2021-August 2022") are provided, but the rationale for these periods should be clarified. Are these periods representative, or do they include anomalous years?

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be split for clarity. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.), may have strong effect upon foraging conditions for many forest dwelling species including rodents, ungulates or birds" could be rephrased for clarity.

* Ensure consistent use of tenses. For instance, "In the case of the oak, a massive crop of acorns happens every 2-3 years" should be "In the case of oak, a massive crop of acorns occurs every 2-3 years."

* Improve the use of commas for readability. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)" should be "Temporally variable seed production, known as masting, is typical for many tree species, such as beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)."

* The introduction outlines a study that appears to investigate an underexplored aspect of the relationship between masting events and the habitat use of wisents. By comparing two distinct periods of beech masting and analyzing their effects on wisent distribution, the study likely provides new insights into wildlife ecology. The focus on specific environmental conditions and the spatial distribution of beechnuts adds a novel dimension to the research.

Material and methods

* The method of sampling beech nuts is clear, but the potential impact of logging activities on the results should be discussed. How might sampling "as close as possible" to old plots affect the data consistency?

* While elevation data is provided, the methods for its collection should include more details on how it was ensured that the elevation measurements were accurate and reliable across different sampling periods.

* The methods for wisent monitoring are well-described, but it would be beneficial to include details on how the presence records were validated and the potential for observer bias.

* The dimensions of the quadrate plots are given as 1x1m, but it's unclear if this size is standard in similar studies. Justification for plot size would be helpful.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be simplified for clarity. For example, "Because of logging activities, in some cases there was impossible to sample the same plots in both years so such sites were sampled as close as possibly to the old ones" could be rephrased to "Due to logging activities, it was impossible to sample the same plots in both years. Therefore, we sampled sites as close as possible to the original locations."

* Ensure consistent use of past tense. For example, "There were established 5 sampling plots in Komańcza" should be "Five sampling plots were established in Komańcza."

* Improve comma use for readability. For instance, "Forest districts of Baligród and Komańcza are inhabited by the western subpopulation of this species in Bieszczady (further called the Baligród herd), and Lutowiska District is within the home range of the eastern subpopulation (further called the Tworylne herd)" could be split into two sentences.

* Ensure consistent and clear use of abbreviations. For instance, "SD" should be defined when first used.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beech nuts crop was estimated in three forest districts of Bieszczady Mountains (south-eastern Poland): Baligród, Komańcza and Lutowiska" could be "We estimated the beech nut crop in three forest districts of the Bieszczady Mountains: Baligród, Komańcza, and Lutowiska."

Results

* The results provide valuable data, but the presentation could be improved by including more detailed descriptions of the findings. For instance, explaining the significance of the variation in beechnut crops between different years and herds would enhance understanding.

* The results mention comparisons between different herds and years, but a more thorough statistical analysis and interpretation of these comparisons are necessary. What do these differences imply about the relationship between beechnut availability and wisent distribution?

* The results mention statistical differences but do not specify the statistical tests used. Including the methods for statistical analysis (e.g., ANOVA, t-tests) would strengthen the validity of the conclusions.

* Ensure consistency in data units and terms. For example, "g dry matter/m2" and "g d.m./m2" should be standardized to one format.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be split for clarity. For example, "Generally however, higher values of beechnuts crop in both sites were found in 2013, and in both years within the home range of Tworylne herd" could be rephrased for better readability.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense throughout the results section. For example, "Those data were compared with spatial distribution of wisent herds during the remaining months of the same years" should be in past tense.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g d.m./m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" could be simplified to "Beechnut crops ranged from 2.4 g/m2 in the Baligród herd home range to 238.8 g/m2 in the Tworylne herd home range, both in 2013."

* Table 1 is not needed and can be provided as text.

Discussion

* The discussion does not fully interpret the results in the context of existing literature. It should explore why the presence of beech trees does not correlate with wisent concentration sites and what other factors might be influencing habitat selection.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should include more specific references to the tables and data presented in the results to support the statements made.

* The discussion should address the statistical significance of the findings and their implications for the study's conclusions.

* Some sentences are complex and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Therefore the most probable attracting factor for wisents there, could be the accessibility of highly energetic beechnuts" could be simplified.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense when discussing the study findings.

* The discussion should be more concise and focused on interpreting the key findings. For example, "However our data show that the share of pure beech stands within areas of kernel 50% (i.e. the concentration sites of wisents) is generally low" could be shortened to "Our data show that pure beech stands within kernel 50% areas are generally low."

* Improve the logical flow between sentences and paragraphs. Ensure that each paragraph clearly follows from the previous one and that the overall argument is coherent.

* The discussion highlights the novel aspect of the study, which is the detailed analysis of wisent habitat selection in relation to beech masting. However, it should delve deeper into why the results were unexpected and what they contribute to the broader understanding of wildlife ecology.

Conclusions

* The conclusions should clearly state the key findings of the study and their implications. The current version is somewhat vague.

* The conclusion should explicitly reflect on the hypothesis and whether it was supported or refuted by the findings.

* Discuss the broader implications of the findings and suggest areas for future research.

* The conclusion should briefly reference the specific data or results that support the statements made.

* Ensure that the conclusions are fully consistent with the results presented.

* Some sentences are long and complex. Breaking them into simpler sentences can enhance readability.

* Use past tense when referring to the study's findings and present tense for general conclusions.

* The conclusions should be concise and focused on summarizing the key points of the study.

 

* Ensure a logical progression from the key findings to the overall conclusion.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Title

*The title does not clearly convey the study's specific objectives or hypotheses. It should be more descriptive regarding the aspects of masting cycles and spatial distribution being examined.

* The title should specify whether the study includes any particular factors influencing masting cycles and distribution patterns (e.g., climate, soil, human impact).

* The title lacks articles that are necessary for proper grammatical structure. For instance, "European beech masting cycles and the spatial distribution of [correct term] in the Bieszczady Mountains" would be more grammatically correct.

Abstract

*The abstract should clearly state the hypothesis or research question. While it mentions the comparison of wisents' distribution with beechnut availability, it lacks a clear hypothesis.

* The conclusion that habitat selection cannot be explained by mast years could be elaborated to provide more context or implications for future research or conservation efforts.

* The abstract includes specific data points (e.g., 2.4 g dry matter/m2 and 238.8 g dry matter/m2) but does not provide statistical significance or context for these values. Including statistical analyses would strengthen the findings.

* The abstract mentions the years 2013 and 2022, but it does not explain why these years were chosen or if they are representative of typical masting cycles.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense for completed research. For example, "Changes in the distribution of concentration areas of wisents were compared with the availability of beechnut crops."

* The use of commas needs to be improved for readability. For instance, "shows, that within kernel 95% area their proportion was considerable" should be "shows that within the kernel 95% area, their proportion was considerable."

* Ensure consistency in units (e.g., "g dry matter/m2" should be written consistently) and avoid abbreviations without explanation.

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g dry matter/m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" can be split for clarity.

* Ensure proper formatting of scientific terms and units (e.g., "gdry.matter/m2" should be "g dry matter/m2").

* The study appears to provide valuable insights into the relationship between European bison distribution and beech masting cycles, specifically in the context of the Bieszczady Mountains. The comparison over two distinct masting years (2013 and 2022) and the detailed data on beechnut availability suggest a novel approach. However, the novelty could be better highlighted by discussing how these findings differ from previous studies or what new perspectives they bring to the field of wildlife ecology and management.

Int The introduction effectively sets up the context for the study but could more clearly articulate the specific hypothesis and objectives. The hypothesis is mentioned at the end, but it would be more impactful if it were stated earlier.roduction

* The introduction reviews relevant literature but could benefit from a more critical analysis of existing studies. Highlighting gaps or inconsistencies in current knowledge would strengthen the rationale for the study.

* The references are cited appropriately, but a more detailed discussion of key studies would be beneficial. For instance, discussing the methodologies and findings of cited works in more depth would provide a stronger foundation for the study.

* The specific time frames (e.g., "November 2012-August 2013" and "November 2021-August 2022") are provided, but the rationale for these periods should be clarified. Are these periods representative, or do they include anomalous years?

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be split for clarity. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.), may have strong effect upon foraging conditions for many forest dwelling species including rodents, ungulates or birds" could be rephrased for clarity.

* Ensure consistent use of tenses. For instance, "In the case of the oak, a massive crop of acorns happens every 2-3 years" should be "In the case of oak, a massive crop of acorns occurs every 2-3 years."

* Improve the use of commas for readability. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)" should be "Temporally variable seed production, known as masting, is typical for many tree species, such as beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)."

* The introduction outlines a study that appears to investigate an underexplored aspect of the relationship between masting events and the habitat use of wisents. By comparing two distinct periods of beech masting and analyzing their effects on wisent distribution, the study likely provides new insights into wildlife ecology. The focus on specific environmental conditions and the spatial distribution of beechnuts adds a novel dimension to the research.

Material and methods

* The method of sampling beech nuts is clear, but the potential impact of logging activities on the results should be discussed. How might sampling "as close as possible" to old plots affect the data consistency?

* While elevation data is provided, the methods for its collection should include more details on how it was ensured that the elevation measurements were accurate and reliable across different sampling periods.

* The methods for wisent monitoring are well-described, but it would be beneficial to include details on how the presence records were validated and the potential for observer bias.

* The dimensions of the quadrate plots are given as 1x1m, but it's unclear if this size is standard in similar studies. Justification for plot size would be helpful.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be simplified for clarity. For example, "Because of logging activities, in some cases there was impossible to sample the same plots in both years so such sites were sampled as close as possibly to the old ones" could be rephrased to "Due to logging activities, it was impossible to sample the same plots in both years. Therefore, we sampled sites as close as possible to the original locations."

* Ensure consistent use of past tense. For example, "There were established 5 sampling plots in Komańcza" should be "Five sampling plots were established in Komańcza."

* Improve comma use for readability. For instance, "Forest districts of Baligród and Komańcza are inhabited by the western subpopulation of this species in Bieszczady (further called the Baligród herd), and Lutowiska District is within the home range of the eastern subpopulation (further called the Tworylne herd)" could be split into two sentences.

* Ensure consistent and clear use of abbreviations. For instance, "SD" should be defined when first used.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beech nuts crop was estimated in three forest districts of Bieszczady Mountains (south-eastern Poland): Baligród, Komańcza and Lutowiska" could be "We estimated the beech nut crop in three forest districts of the Bieszczady Mountains: Baligród, Komańcza, and Lutowiska."

Results

* The results provide valuable data, but the presentation could be improved by including more detailed descriptions of the findings. For instance, explaining the significance of the variation in beechnut crops between different years and herds would enhance understanding.

* The results mention comparisons between different herds and years, but a more thorough statistical analysis and interpretation of these comparisons are necessary. What do these differences imply about the relationship between beechnut availability and wisent distribution?

* The results mention statistical differences but do not specify the statistical tests used. Including the methods for statistical analysis (e.g., ANOVA, t-tests) would strengthen the validity of the conclusions.

* Ensure consistency in data units and terms. For example, "g dry matter/m2" and "g d.m./m2" should be standardized to one format.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be split for clarity. For example, "Generally however, higher values of beechnuts crop in both sites were found in 2013, and in both years within the home range of Tworylne herd" could be rephrased for better readability.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense throughout the results section. For example, "Those data were compared with spatial distribution of wisent herds during the remaining months of the same years" should be in past tense.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g d.m./m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" could be simplified to "Beechnut crops ranged from 2.4 g/m2 in the Baligród herd home range to 238.8 g/m2 in the Tworylne herd home range, both in 2013."

* Table 1 is not needed and can be provided as text.

Discussion

* The discussion does not fully interpret the results in the context of existing literature. It should explore why the presence of beech trees does not correlate with wisent concentration sites and what other factors might be influencing habitat selection.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should include more specific references to the tables and data presented in the results to support the statements made.

* The discussion should address the statistical significance of the findings and their implications for the study's conclusions.

* Some sentences are complex and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Therefore the most probable attracting factor for wisents there, could be the accessibility of highly energetic beechnuts" could be simplified.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense when discussing the study findings.

* The discussion should be more concise and focused on interpreting the key findings. For example, "However our data show that the share of pure beech stands within areas of kernel 50% (i.e. the concentration sites of wisents) is generally low" could be shortened to "Our data show that pure beech stands within kernel 50% areas are generally low."

* Improve the logical flow between sentences and paragraphs. Ensure that each paragraph clearly follows from the previous one and that the overall argument is coherent.

* The discussion highlights the novel aspect of the study, which is the detailed analysis of wisent habitat selection in relation to beech masting. However, it should delve deeper into why the results were unexpected and what they contribute to the broader understanding of wildlife ecology.

Conclusions

* The conclusions should clearly state the key findings of the study and their implications. The current version is somewhat vague.

* The conclusion should explicitly reflect on the hypothesis and whether it was supported or refuted by the findings.

* Discuss the broader implications of the findings and suggest areas for future research.

* The conclusion should briefly reference the specific data or results that support the statements made.

* Ensure that the conclusions are fully consistent with the results presented.

* Some sentences are long and complex. Breaking them into simpler sentences can enhance readability.

* Use past tense when referring to the study's findings and present tense for general conclusions.

* The conclusions should be concise and focused on summarizing the key points of the study.

 

* Ensure a logical progression from the key findings to the overall conclusion.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I've analyse the second version of the paper. The  authors responses focused in questions of another reviewer.  Despite some minor improvements, the paper is not ready for publication. The paper needs a good bibliographic background, a better discussion and the results to be better analysed. Morevover the sample seems quite low and needs to be better justified.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Unfortunately, the comments of the first stage of revision have not been answered yet.

Title

*The title does not clearly convey the study's specific objectives or hypotheses. It should be more descriptive regarding the aspects of masting cycles and spatial distribution being examined.

* The title should specify whether the study includes any particular factors influencing masting cycles and distribution patterns (e.g., climate, soil, human impact).

* The title lacks articles that are necessary for proper grammatical structure. For instance, "European beech masting cycles and the spatial distribution of [correct term] in the Bieszczady Mountains" would be more grammatically correct.

Abstract

*The abstract should clearly state the hypothesis or research question. While it mentions the comparison of wisents' distribution with beechnut availability, it lacks a clear hypothesis.

* The conclusion that habitat selection cannot be explained by mast years could be elaborated to provide more context or implications for future research or conservation efforts.

* The abstract includes specific data points (e.g., 2.4 g dry matter/m2 and 238.8 g dry matter/m2) but does not provide statistical significance or context for these values. Including statistical analyses would strengthen the findings.

* The abstract mentions the years 2013 and 2022, but it does not explain why these years were chosen or if they are representative of typical masting cycles.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense for completed research. For example, "Changes in the distribution of concentration areas of wisents were compared with the availability of beechnut crops."

* The use of commas needs to be improved for readability. For instance, "shows, that within kernel 95% area their proportion was considerable" should be "shows that within the kernel 95% area, their proportion was considerable."

* Ensure consistency in units (e.g., "g dry matter/m2" should be written consistently) and avoid abbreviations without explanation.

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g dry matter/m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" can be split for clarity.

* Ensure proper formatting of scientific terms and units (e.g., "gdry.matter/m2" should be "g dry matter/m2").

* The study appears to provide valuable insights into the relationship between European bison distribution and beech masting cycles, specifically in the context of the Bieszczady Mountains. The comparison over two distinct masting years (2013 and 2022) and the detailed data on beechnut availability suggest a novel approach. However, the novelty could be better highlighted by discussing how these findings differ from previous studies or what new perspectives they bring to the field of wildlife ecology and management.

Int The introduction effectively sets up the context for the study but could more clearly articulate the specific hypothesis and objectives. The hypothesis is mentioned at the end, but it would be more impactful if it were stated earlier.roduction

* The introduction reviews relevant literature but could benefit from a more critical analysis of existing studies. Highlighting gaps or inconsistencies in current knowledge would strengthen the rationale for the study.

* The references are cited appropriately, but a more detailed discussion of key studies would be beneficial. For instance, discussing the methodologies and findings of cited works in more depth would provide a stronger foundation for the study.

* The specific time frames (e.g., "November 2012-August 2013" and "November 2021-August 2022") are provided, but the rationale for these periods should be clarified. Are these periods representative, or do they include anomalous years?

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be split for clarity. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.), may have strong effect upon foraging conditions for many forest dwelling species including rodents, ungulates or birds" could be rephrased for clarity.

* Ensure consistent use of tenses. For instance, "In the case of the oak, a massive crop of acorns happens every 2-3 years" should be "In the case of oak, a massive crop of acorns occurs every 2-3 years."

* Improve the use of commas for readability. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)" should be "Temporally variable seed production, known as masting, is typical for many tree species, such as beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)."

* The introduction outlines a study that appears to investigate an underexplored aspect of the relationship between masting events and the habitat use of wisents. By comparing two distinct periods of beech masting and analyzing their effects on wisent distribution, the study likely provides new insights into wildlife ecology. The focus on specific environmental conditions and the spatial distribution of beechnuts adds a novel dimension to the research.

Material and methods

* The method of sampling beech nuts is clear, but the potential impact of logging activities on the results should be discussed. How might sampling "as close as possible" to old plots affect the data consistency?

* While elevation data is provided, the methods for its collection should include more details on how it was ensured that the elevation measurements were accurate and reliable across different sampling periods.

* The methods for wisent monitoring are well-described, but it would be beneficial to include details on how the presence records were validated and the potential for observer bias.

* The dimensions of the quadrate plots are given as 1x1m, but it's unclear if this size is standard in similar studies. Justification for plot size would be helpful.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be simplified for clarity. For example, "Because of logging activities, in some cases there was impossible to sample the same plots in both years so such sites were sampled as close as possibly to the old ones" could be rephrased to "Due to logging activities, it was impossible to sample the same plots in both years. Therefore, we sampled sites as close as possible to the original locations."

* Ensure consistent use of past tense. For example, "There were established 5 sampling plots in Komańcza" should be "Five sampling plots were established in Komańcza."

* Improve comma use for readability. For instance, "Forest districts of Baligród and Komańcza are inhabited by the western subpopulation of this species in Bieszczady (further called the Baligród herd), and Lutowiska District is within the home range of the eastern subpopulation (further called the Tworylne herd)" could be split into two sentences.

* Ensure consistent and clear use of abbreviations. For instance, "SD" should be defined when first used.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beech nuts crop was estimated in three forest districts of Bieszczady Mountains (south-eastern Poland): Baligród, Komańcza and Lutowiska" could be "We estimated the beech nut crop in three forest districts of the Bieszczady Mountains: Baligród, Komańcza, and Lutowiska."

Results

* The results provide valuable data, but the presentation could be improved by including more detailed descriptions of the findings. For instance, explaining the significance of the variation in beechnut crops between different years and herds would enhance understanding.

* The results mention comparisons between different herds and years, but a more thorough statistical analysis and interpretation of these comparisons are necessary. What do these differences imply about the relationship between beechnut availability and wisent distribution?

* The results mention statistical differences but do not specify the statistical tests used. Including the methods for statistical analysis (e.g., ANOVA, t-tests) would strengthen the validity of the conclusions.

* Ensure consistency in data units and terms. For example, "g dry matter/m2" and "g d.m./m2" should be standardized to one format.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be split for clarity. For example, "Generally however, higher values of beechnuts crop in both sites were found in 2013, and in both years within the home range of Tworylne herd" could be rephrased for better readability.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense throughout the results section. For example, "Those data were compared with spatial distribution of wisent herds during the remaining months of the same years" should be in past tense.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g d.m./m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" could be simplified to "Beechnut crops ranged from 2.4 g/m2 in the Baligród herd home range to 238.8 g/m2 in the Tworylne herd home range, both in 2013."

* Table 1 is not needed and can be provided as text.

Discussion

* The discussion does not fully interpret the results in the context of existing literature. It should explore why the presence of beech trees does not correlate with wisent concentration sites and what other factors might be influencing habitat selection.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should include more specific references to the tables and data presented in the results to support the statements made.

* The discussion should address the statistical significance of the findings and their implications for the study's conclusions.

* Some sentences are complex and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Therefore the most probable attracting factor for wisents there, could be the accessibility of highly energetic beechnuts" could be simplified.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense when discussing the study findings.

* The discussion should be more concise and focused on interpreting the key findings. For example, "However our data show that the share of pure beech stands within areas of kernel 50% (i.e. the concentration sites of wisents) is generally low" could be shortened to "Our data show that pure beech stands within kernel 50% areas are generally low."

* Improve the logical flow between sentences and paragraphs. Ensure that each paragraph clearly follows from the previous one and that the overall argument is coherent.

* The discussion highlights the novel aspect of the study, which is the detailed analysis of wisent habitat selection in relation to beech masting. However, it should delve deeper into why the results were unexpected and what they contribute to the broader understanding of wildlife ecology.

Conclusions

* The conclusions should clearly state the key findings of the study and their implications. The current version is somewhat vague.

* The conclusion should explicitly reflect on the hypothesis and whether it was supported or refuted by the findings.

* Discuss the broader implications of the findings and suggest areas for future research.

* The conclusion should briefly reference the specific data or results that support the statements made.

* Ensure that the conclusions are fully consistent with the results presented.

* Some sentences are long and complex. Breaking them into simpler sentences can enhance readability.

* Use past tense when referring to the study's findings and present tense for general conclusions.

* The conclusions should be concise and focused on summarizing the key points of the study.

 

* Ensure a logical progression from the key findings to the overall conclusion.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Unfortunately, the comments of the first stage of revision have not been answered yet.

Title

*The title does not clearly convey the study's specific objectives or hypotheses. It should be more descriptive regarding the aspects of masting cycles and spatial distribution being examined.

* The title should specify whether the study includes any particular factors influencing masting cycles and distribution patterns (e.g., climate, soil, human impact).

* The title lacks articles that are necessary for proper grammatical structure. For instance, "European beech masting cycles and the spatial distribution of [correct term] in the Bieszczady Mountains" would be more grammatically correct.

Abstract

*The abstract should clearly state the hypothesis or research question. While it mentions the comparison of wisents' distribution with beechnut availability, it lacks a clear hypothesis.

* The conclusion that habitat selection cannot be explained by mast years could be elaborated to provide more context or implications for future research or conservation efforts.

* The abstract includes specific data points (e.g., 2.4 g dry matter/m2 and 238.8 g dry matter/m2) but does not provide statistical significance or context for these values. Including statistical analyses would strengthen the findings.

* The abstract mentions the years 2013 and 2022, but it does not explain why these years were chosen or if they are representative of typical masting cycles.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense for completed research. For example, "Changes in the distribution of concentration areas of wisents were compared with the availability of beechnut crops."

* The use of commas needs to be improved for readability. For instance, "shows, that within kernel 95% area their proportion was considerable" should be "shows that within the kernel 95% area, their proportion was considerable."

* Ensure consistency in units (e.g., "g dry matter/m2" should be written consistently) and avoid abbreviations without explanation.

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g dry matter/m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" can be split for clarity.

* Ensure proper formatting of scientific terms and units (e.g., "gdry.matter/m2" should be "g dry matter/m2").

* The study appears to provide valuable insights into the relationship between European bison distribution and beech masting cycles, specifically in the context of the Bieszczady Mountains. The comparison over two distinct masting years (2013 and 2022) and the detailed data on beechnut availability suggest a novel approach. However, the novelty could be better highlighted by discussing how these findings differ from previous studies or what new perspectives they bring to the field of wildlife ecology and management.

Int The introduction effectively sets up the context for the study but could more clearly articulate the specific hypothesis and objectives. The hypothesis is mentioned at the end, but it would be more impactful if it were stated earlier.roduction

* The introduction reviews relevant literature but could benefit from a more critical analysis of existing studies. Highlighting gaps or inconsistencies in current knowledge would strengthen the rationale for the study.

* The references are cited appropriately, but a more detailed discussion of key studies would be beneficial. For instance, discussing the methodologies and findings of cited works in more depth would provide a stronger foundation for the study.

* The specific time frames (e.g., "November 2012-August 2013" and "November 2021-August 2022") are provided, but the rationale for these periods should be clarified. Are these periods representative, or do they include anomalous years?

* Some sentences are lengthy and could be split for clarity. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.), may have strong effect upon foraging conditions for many forest dwelling species including rodents, ungulates or birds" could be rephrased for clarity.

* Ensure consistent use of tenses. For instance, "In the case of the oak, a massive crop of acorns happens every 2-3 years" should be "In the case of oak, a massive crop of acorns occurs every 2-3 years."

* Improve the use of commas for readability. For example, "Temporally variable seed production known as masting, typical for many tree species like e.g. beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)" should be "Temporally variable seed production, known as masting, is typical for many tree species, such as beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or oak (Quercus robur L.)."

* The introduction outlines a study that appears to investigate an underexplored aspect of the relationship between masting events and the habitat use of wisents. By comparing two distinct periods of beech masting and analyzing their effects on wisent distribution, the study likely provides new insights into wildlife ecology. The focus on specific environmental conditions and the spatial distribution of beechnuts adds a novel dimension to the research.

Material and methods

* The method of sampling beech nuts is clear, but the potential impact of logging activities on the results should be discussed. How might sampling "as close as possible" to old plots affect the data consistency?

* While elevation data is provided, the methods for its collection should include more details on how it was ensured that the elevation measurements were accurate and reliable across different sampling periods.

* The methods for wisent monitoring are well-described, but it would be beneficial to include details on how the presence records were validated and the potential for observer bias.

* The dimensions of the quadrate plots are given as 1x1m, but it's unclear if this size is standard in similar studies. Justification for plot size would be helpful.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be simplified for clarity. For example, "Because of logging activities, in some cases there was impossible to sample the same plots in both years so such sites were sampled as close as possibly to the old ones" could be rephrased to "Due to logging activities, it was impossible to sample the same plots in both years. Therefore, we sampled sites as close as possible to the original locations."

* Ensure consistent use of past tense. For example, "There were established 5 sampling plots in Komańcza" should be "Five sampling plots were established in Komańcza."

* Improve comma use for readability. For instance, "Forest districts of Baligród and Komańcza are inhabited by the western subpopulation of this species in Bieszczady (further called the Baligród herd), and Lutowiska District is within the home range of the eastern subpopulation (further called the Tworylne herd)" could be split into two sentences.

* Ensure consistent and clear use of abbreviations. For instance, "SD" should be defined when first used.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beech nuts crop was estimated in three forest districts of Bieszczady Mountains (south-eastern Poland): Baligród, Komańcza and Lutowiska" could be "We estimated the beech nut crop in three forest districts of the Bieszczady Mountains: Baligród, Komańcza, and Lutowiska."

Results

* The results provide valuable data, but the presentation could be improved by including more detailed descriptions of the findings. For instance, explaining the significance of the variation in beechnut crops between different years and herds would enhance understanding.

* The results mention comparisons between different herds and years, but a more thorough statistical analysis and interpretation of these comparisons are necessary. What do these differences imply about the relationship between beechnut availability and wisent distribution?

* The results mention statistical differences but do not specify the statistical tests used. Including the methods for statistical analysis (e.g., ANOVA, t-tests) would strengthen the validity of the conclusions.

* Ensure consistency in data units and terms. For example, "g dry matter/m2" and "g d.m./m2" should be standardized to one format.

* Some sentences are overly complex and could be split for clarity. For example, "Generally however, higher values of beechnuts crop in both sites were found in 2013, and in both years within the home range of Tworylne herd" could be rephrased for better readability.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense throughout the results section. For example, "Those data were compared with spatial distribution of wisent herds during the remaining months of the same years" should be in past tense.

* Some sections could be more concise. For example, "Beechnuts crop varied between as little as 2.4 g dry matter/m2 recorded within Baligród herd home range in 2013, and up to 238.8 g d.m./m2 within Tworylne herd range also in 2013" could be simplified to "Beechnut crops ranged from 2.4 g/m2 in the Baligród herd home range to 238.8 g/m2 in the Tworylne herd home range, both in 2013."

* Table 1 is not needed and can be provided as text.

Discussion

* The discussion does not fully interpret the results in the context of existing literature. It should explore why the presence of beech trees does not correlate with wisent concentration sites and what other factors might be influencing habitat selection.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should explicitly state whether the initial hypothesis (that beechnut availability significantly influences wisent habitat use) was supported or refuted by the data.

* The discussion should include more specific references to the tables and data presented in the results to support the statements made.

* The discussion should address the statistical significance of the findings and their implications for the study's conclusions.

* Some sentences are complex and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, "Therefore the most probable attracting factor for wisents there, could be the accessibility of highly energetic beechnuts" could be simplified.

* Ensure consistent use of past tense when discussing the study findings.

* The discussion should be more concise and focused on interpreting the key findings. For example, "However our data show that the share of pure beech stands within areas of kernel 50% (i.e. the concentration sites of wisents) is generally low" could be shortened to "Our data show that pure beech stands within kernel 50% areas are generally low."

* Improve the logical flow between sentences and paragraphs. Ensure that each paragraph clearly follows from the previous one and that the overall argument is coherent.

* The discussion highlights the novel aspect of the study, which is the detailed analysis of wisent habitat selection in relation to beech masting. However, it should delve deeper into why the results were unexpected and what they contribute to the broader understanding of wildlife ecology.

Conclusions

* The conclusions should clearly state the key findings of the study and their implications. The current version is somewhat vague.

* The conclusion should explicitly reflect on the hypothesis and whether it was supported or refuted by the findings.

* Discuss the broader implications of the findings and suggest areas for future research.

* The conclusion should briefly reference the specific data or results that support the statements made.

* Ensure that the conclusions are fully consistent with the results presented.

* Some sentences are long and complex. Breaking them into simpler sentences can enhance readability.

* Use past tense when referring to the study's findings and present tense for general conclusions.

* The conclusions should be concise and focused on summarizing the key points of the study.

 

* Ensure a logical progression from the key findings to the overall conclusion.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx