Spatial–Temporal Pattern and Influencing Factors of Vegetation Phenology and Net Primary Productivity in the Qilian Mountains of Northwest China
, Dashi Du 1,2, Ruhong Xue 1,2, Xingyu Ding 3, Mengyuan Wei 1,2 and Peng Zhang 1,2
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The article was well written with appropriate language and grammar. The hypotheses and discussion were well framed. However, the novelty of the article is lacking. There was ample literature on vegetation phenology, trends, and correlation. I even found similar articles on the Qilian mountains in google scholar. I have provided a few comments/concerns that need to be addressed to increase novelty and chances of accepting the article. All the very best!
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
There are a couple of points where it could be stronger, the comments are as follows:
In Abstract section,
- L30, please write the full name of SPEI when it first appeared.
- L33-35, This is such a long sentence that is hard to read. Please try to separate it into several short sentences.
In Introduction section,
- L62-64, Please add some references here to specify the previous studies using these indices, also in L98.
- L116-120, the long sentence has grammatical errors, please rewrite it.
In Materials and methods section,
- L162-163, Indicate the period for which is average temperature and total precipitation were determined, and add the reference.
- Fig.1, when the map has the latitude, the north arrow should not be added, same as the following maps, and please put the north arrow in the maps without the graticules
- L175, please check all the unit of NPP, delete the space in ArcGIS.
In Results section,
- The expressions in L339-L352, L380-L390 are not clear and unfocused, if you can, please rewrite them.
- Fig.9 and Fig.11, are the correlations significant?
In Discussion section,
- The current discussions are based on the result 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5, so I suggest writing a short part related to 3.1 and 3.2, especially for 3.2, which would strengthen the research.
In Conclusion section,
- Please write one or two sentences connected to the previously hypotheses in L147-151.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors have addressed all the suggested comments/suggestions. The manuscript can be accepted for publication.
