Spatial Planning Strategies for Wetlands Based on a Multimethod Approach: The Example of Tianjin in China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper is very interesting. My only recommendation to the authors is to include a comparison with other methods on wetlands spatial planning presented in previous papers. Furthermore Section 4.3 and 4.4 have the same title.
Minor editing on English is required
Author Response
Point 1: A comparison with other methods on wetlands spatial planning presented in previous papers.
Response 1: Thanks for your kind suggestion. In general, most of the relevant studies have often overlooked the recognition of ecological relationships among wetlands, resulting in a relatively low spatial feasibility of their spatial planning. However, this study takes into account the spatial distribution correlation between wetlands, the number of connectivity paths, and connectivity, providing a more comprehensive and detailed basis for strategic decision-making, thereby enhancing the practical guidance of planning strategies. It is important to note that some research has proposed that human well-being is closely related to the surrounding environment, and wetland quality has a significant impact on the physical and mental health of nearby residents. In the formulation of planning strategies in this study, we have not yet considered the ecosystem services of wetlands and human well-being, lacking an ecological value assessment of wetland resources and planning methods that align with value transformation pathways. This is also an issue that should be a focal point for future research in this study. The relevent content can be found from Lines 843-856, Page 25.
Point 2: Section 4.3 and 4.4 have the same title.
Response 2: Thank you for your careful review. We have made the correction to the title of section 4.4. It should be titled "Strategy Validation.", at Line 708, Page 21.
Point 3: Minor editing on English is required.
Response 3: Thanks for your kind suggestion. We have utilized official English language editing (English Editing Certificate No: 71023) of mdpi to enhance the clarity of our paper.
Reviewer 2 Report
This manuscript tries to provide spatial planning strategies for wetland based on multi-method approach, which an example of Tianjin in China. There are lot of information in the manuscript, but it’s very difficult to understand the authors. The presentation of the manuscript is a mess. The objective is not clear, and there is no novelty in this study. The authors mention that “The objective is to present wetland spatial planning strategies that effectively facilitate sustainable urban development in Tianjin.”. This is a very broad objective, and not fit for a scientific paper. Another issue is the manuscript only uses the result of one year in 2018 to talk about spatial planning strategies, which is weak and not convincing. In fact, a historical change of wetlands with different spatial distribution characteristics will help to understand the best planning strategies for wetlands rather than from one-year status. Last but not least, the English language needs to be checked as it’s hard to understand.
The English language needs to be checked as it’s hard to understand.
Author Response
Point 1: There are lot of information in the manuscript, but it’s very difficult to understand the authors. The presentation of the manuscript is a mess.
Response 1: Thank you for your kind suggestions. The main approach of this paper involves empirical review -foundation assessment - anchor point identification - strategic optimization. Therefore, it does indeed contain a substantial amount of information. As for the difficulty in understanding it, we believe it may be related to our less-than-ideal English expression, which did not clearly convey our thoughts and intentions. I have sought the assistance of a professional language editing service from MDPI to enhance the readability and accuracy of the language in this paper.
Point 2: The objective is not clear, and there is no novelty in this study. The authors mention that “The objective is to present wetland spatial planning strategies that effectively facilitate sustainable urban development in Tianjin.”. This is a very broad objective, and not fit for a scientific paper.
Response 2: Thank you for your kind suggestions. Existing research often focuses on spatial distribution characteristics, which can help us identify where wetlands are lacking on a macro scale but may not indicate the means to improve wetlands further. Therefore, we have incorporated spatial relations analysis, considering the mutual relationships between wetlands as a basis for strategy formulation. We have proposed corresponding wetland spatial planning strategies and used methods involving both spatial distribution characteristics and spatial relationships to validate the effectiveness of these spatial planning strategies. The goal of "facilitating sustainable urban development in Tianjin" is indeed quite ambitious and challenging to achieve through a single article. We have modified the research objective to " The objective is to present wetland spatial planning strategies and attempt to provide methodological insights for a useful exploration of spatial planning decision support for urban wetland systems.", from Lines 121-123, Page 3.
Point 3: Another issue is the manuscript only uses the result of one year in 2018 to talk about spatial planning strategies, which is weak and not convincing. In fact, a historical change of wetlands with different spatial distribution characteristics will help to understand the best planning strategies for wetlands rather than from one-year status.
Response 3: Thank you for your kind suggestions. For the year 2018 data, our main aim was to propose planning strategies using methods of this kind, and through this paper, we have validated the feasibility of the fundamental logic of this approach. We have already planned to employ a "future multi-scenario simulation method based on historical data validation" for multi-temporal research in future studies, from Lines 843-856, Page 25. Your suggestions will greatly benefit our future research endeavors.
Point 4: Last but not least, the English language needs to be checked as it’s hard to understand.
Response 4: Due to difficulties in understanding caused by the English language, we have utilized official English language editing (English Editing Certificate No: 71023) of mdpi to enhance the clarity of our paper. We hope that this will help you better comprehend our intentions.
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors
Very interesting study on wetlands and their spatial planning strategies in Tianjin, China.
The study was addressed with the quantification of wetlands and their spatial distribution based on nearest neighbor analysis, Geographic Concentration Index, Gini index, and kernel density analysis. In addition to that spatial autocorrelation and connectivity analysis were performed to identify the interrelationships among wetlands in Tianjin. And their spatial planning strategies.
In Figure 12b. how wetland network connectivity lines were connected. It's random connectivity or any methods like nearest neighbour, or network connectivity index.
Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 are repeated in the discussion section. That could be avoided.
How for projected wetlands (extended / new wetlands) match with the Planning for the green ecological barrier zones (2018-2035)?
Author Response
Point 1: In Figure 12b. how wetland network connectivity lines were connected. It's random connectivity or any methods like nearest neighbour, or network connectivity index.
Response 1: Thanks for your kind suggestion. We adhere to the principle of nearest neighbor connectivity to link adjacent wetland patches, thereby constructing a wetland network, from line 694-697, Page 20. In the ecological network, patches that are relatively clustered or adjacent are most likely to aggregate into complete ecological patches, thus forming an ecological network.
Point 2: Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 are repeated in the discussion section. That could be avoided.
Response 2: Thanks for your kind suggestion. Figures 13-16 may appear visually similar to Figures 5-8, but they are not duplicates. Figures 13-16 pertain to the post-planning wetlands in Tianjin City and serve as a situation to validate optimization strategies. On the other hand, Figures 5-8 represent an analysis of the current wetland situation in Tianjin City. Their figure titles, numerical values, and the maps presented in them are all distinct. Furthermore, upon review, we discovered that certain Chinese text in the original Figure 15 was left untranslated. Therefore, this revision also includes an update to Figure 15, at line 789, Page 24.
Point 3: How for projected wetlands (extended / new wetlands) match with the Planning for the green ecological barrier zones (2018-2035)?
Response 3: Thanks for your kind suggestion. For the expanded and newly added wetlands, the study proposes to base planning on the 'Tianjin City Twin-City Green Ecological Barrier Zone Plan (2018-2035).' We have added in the article the approach for aligning the proposed wetlands with the Green Ecological Barrier Zone Plan, from Lines 621-632, Page 18-19.
