Influence of Different Meteorological Factors on the Accuracy of Back Propagation Neural Network Simulation of Soil Moisture in China
, Xia Zhu 1,2,3, Wei Luo 1,2,3, Wenhao Zhang 1,2,3, Yuefang Sun 4, Xuqing Li 1,2,3 and Yancang Wang 1,2,3
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The article “Influence of different meteorological factors on the accuracy of BP neural network simulation of soil moisture in China” presents interesting results. However, I’ve some suggestions to improve it.
Introduction:
The first paragraph is confused, it seems that it is from a journal template.
The fourth paragraph is too long. It could be broken into 2-3 other paragraphs.
I would recommend the insertion of a better contextualization about BP neural network model.
It would be recommended stating the study hypothesis.
Material and Methods: No comments.
Results: The first paragraph has a lot of unnecessary information (such as the lines 243-245), and it is too long. In my opinion the citations in this section are unnecessary.
Discussion: The last paragraph of the page 19 is too long.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The author investigated the effects of different meteorological factors on the accuracy of soil moisture in China using a BP neural network model. Unfortunately, the current research paper format, in my opinion, is not well-organized and inappropriate for publication in MDPI's sustainability journal. As a result, I feel the work, with major revisions, might be accepted for publication in this journal. But first, let me offer some general and particular feedback to the authors.
General comments: The purpose of this study was to investigate the PR, EV, air temperature (AT), surface net solar radiation (SR), surface temperature (ST), and air pressure (AP) in China via simulation and prediction SM for each month of 2019 and 2020. In my opinion, the current format of the article is not suitable for publication in MDPI's sustainability journal. So, I think the work could be published in this journal with major changes.
Specific comments:
- Title: What is the BP network model? Please fix the title.
- Why did the author put the text in lines 35–43? Please clarify and delete it.
- Introduction: The author should rewrite this part with appropriate references.
- In lines 108-111, the author mentions, "
The monthly average data of SM (0–7cm)(m3/m3) and PR, EV, AT, SR, ST and atmospheric pressure in China from 2000 to 2020 were obtained from ERA5-Land (DOI: 10.24381/cds.68d2bb30) of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (https://cds.climate.copernicus.eu/)". Please clarify why it is from the European Center. - In lines 323–324, please fix the typos.
- In line 336, Please write a note or legend below the table.
- Why did the author only mention the spatial distribution of soil moisture in 2019-2020?
- All figures and tables need to be justified in the font and the quality improved.
- Please place the space in the table of line 446.
- The language and style of English must be extensively adjusted.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors did a good job. The article can be accepted in present form.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The author did a good job but still needs an English editing service.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
