Temporal and Spatial Changes of Ecological Environment Quality Based on RSEI: A Case Study in Ulan Mulun River Basin, China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This manuscript “Temporal and Spatial Changes of Ecological Environment Quality based on RSEI: A Case Study in Ulan Mulun River Basin, China” researched the ecological environment quality temporal and spatial distribution characteristics based on the RSEI in the Ulan Mulun River Basin in the past 20 years. Research content and methodology are very suitable for this journal. It is the specific application of remote sensing technology in environmental ecology and the analytical method is reasonable. The manuscript is scientifically and logical clarity, relevant literature is fully cited. The manuscript is well written and all chapters are concise and rigorous. But some paragraphs and language should be improved. In order to modify these disadvantages, here are my comments and suggestions.

 

1. In the introduction part, sentences (Lines 63-65) are too long and difficult to understand. It is suggested to rearrange them.

2. The combined terrestrial evapotranspiration index (CTEI) index (Lines 74-75) is a composite index, which is different from the band calculation index. It is recommended to modify it.

3. In the introduction part, the advantages of the RSEI index compared with other single band ecological indexes are not explained. It is best to supplement this part of the content.

4. In the data part, lines 160-163 overlaps with the GEE introduction in the introduction part. I suggest deleting it.

5. In the results section, the representative index in parentheses has been mentioned above (Lines 266-267). Duplicate parts need to be removed.

6. Line 344 and Line 343 have "in the study area" at the same time. This part of the content should be adjusted appropriately.

7. The classification data (2000,2005,2010,2015,2020) in the Ulan Mulun River Basin should be stated. The author should clarify the proportions and distribution areas of various land use types. This can help to prove the conclusion of this article.

8. Some more relative references about the Yellow River Delta should be added and cited in the section of Introduction and Discussion.

The dominant influencing factors of desertification changes in the source region of Yellow River Climate change or human activity？

The Changes of Spatiotemporal Pattern of Rocky Desertification and Its Dominant Driving Factors in Typical Karst Mountainous Areas under the Background of Global Change

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

If you are using in title RSEI and also in abstract need to be explained. you mention in abstract "the RSEI (including greenness, temperature, humidity and dryness)" witch is confusing in introduction you explain "remote sensing ecological index (RSEI)". Usually when you first mention an acronym, there is better to be explained. 

In introduction you you are describe the indicators witch can be part of methodology proposed (methods related with principal component analysis (PCA)). 

An site description witch can be described in the introduction is described into Material and Methods. 

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

Thank you very much for allowing me to review this interesting manuscript, I consider that it should be accepted with minor corrections since there are small things that can be improved in the discussion and pass some parts of the discussion to results as well as better specify some parts of the materials and methods.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Reviewer 4 Report

 

The paper used RSEI to evaluate the temporal and spatial changes of ecological environment quality in Ulan Mulun River Basin, China. The results showed a good news that the ecological environment quality of the study area had been gradually improved. The study allows us to see the effectiveness of the Chinese government's environmental measures. The research method is very convenient and the content is very interesting. However, in terms of writing, grammar checks need to be strengthened, also the depth of discussion of the research results needs to be strengthened. Specific comments are as follows:

1. Pay attention to the tense problem in the writing of the paper, especially the tense of the result part should be re-corrected.

2. The paper needs to propose targeted discussion content based on its own results. Such as, in the lines of 295-298, the the author writen that “In 2015 and 2020, the poor and fair grades showed a gragmentation trend, mainly in the central, northwestern and eastern parts of the basin…….” While no reason could be find in the discussion part. Only few word shown in the lines of 374 - 376 “ In 2020, L-L is distributed in Suburga Town and Boerjiang Haizi Town and L-L is mainly location from the southwest to the northwest of the basin ”. More specific reasons need to be added to the discussion to explain the temporal and spatial variation in the paper.

Author Response

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Reviewer 5 Report

Summary:

I found the manuscript to be interesting and provides an example of temporal and spatial changes of ecological environment quality based on RSEI. The authors calculated the 4 RSEI that are remotely sensed data-based indices with 5 years’ time periods and assessed the ecological environment distribution and change characteristics in the study area, where is ecological transition and vulnerability zones The result demonstrated that the Ulan Mulun River Basin ecological environment quality spatial distribution was positively correlated, and the clustering degree decreases gradually. This study provided a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of Ulan Mulun River Basin, which is crucial for local ecological environment and economic development. The science and statistics of the manuscript appear sound, and adequately cited. I find that the introduction provides decent background, the research design is appropriate, the methods adequately described, and results are clearly presented, so I do not have many major comments.  I believe a moderate level of revisions should be made to the paper before it is ready to be considered for publication with sustainability.

General comments:

What is the climate condition during study time periods (climate variables (temperature and precipitation) trends) that could obtain from (weather stations)? It would help readers to better understand the background information of the study.

From author’s conclusion: “It shows that the Ulan Mulun River Basin ecological environment quality spatial distribution presents a positive correlation, with clustering characteristics 431 and low randomness”, what is major drivers for those? Climate condition, gazing management, land use management, or something else?

Author Response

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Round 2

Reviewer 4 Report

none

Author Response

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