Examining Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Ecological Quality in the Pan-Third Pole Region in the Past 20 Years

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The papers subject is very interesting. The methodology is clearly described and the results very well described. The papper can be published in its current form. 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This work constructed a comprehensive ecological quality evolution evaluation system with multi-sources data and extensive spatial-temporal scales. The results provide clear ecological quality status and changes in ecological quality in the Pan-Third Pole region, which has practical meanings to the region and would be interesting to readers of the relevant field. Here are some suggestions for reference:

 

In the introduction section,

l  Main methods on ecological quality have been reviewed, however, what’s the relationship with your research methods is not clear.  

l  The knowledge gap is well-addressed, why compare the ecological quality of all countries in the Pan-Third Pole region important? lacking research is not sufficient.

 

In the methods part, considering the broad range of the study area, whether it is proper to apply the same weight of indexes in various countries with different natural conditions and in different development stages.

 

The results and analysis are quite clear. In line 311, what is the urbanization rate in this study and whether there are relations between the urbanization rate and the indexes in ECI.

  

Author Response

请参阅附件。

Author Response File: Author Response.docx