Simulation of LUCC Dynamics and Estimation of Carbon Stock under Different SSP-RCP Scenarios in Heilongjiang Province

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

General Comments:

This article predicts future trends in soil carbon stocks in Heilongjiang Province based on a solid methodological and theoretical framework. This study is very relevant and has the potential to contribute to China's blackland conservation strategy. However, it is disappointing that the results and conclusions of this article do not highlight the unique characteristics of Heilongjiang Province. In other words, the extensive descriptions used in this article would still be applicable even for another Chinese province. Therefore, it is important for the authors to highlight the unique characteristics of geographical studies, especially in the context of the Blackland Conservation Strategy. I recommend the major revision.

 

Specific comments:

1.       The introductory section must be streamlined. The authors introduce too much common sense that is familiar to researchers in the field as well as readers of the journal.

2.       In section 2.1 Study Area and Data Sources, several data related to Heilongjiang was present. It is great. However, there are not citations. Could you clarify the sources of these data?

3.       The “2.1.1 Defining future climate scenarios” should be “2.2.1 Defining future climate scenarios”

4.       In the section “2.1.1 Defining future climate scenarios”, Can you explain the reasons for the choose of these scenarios?

5.       Figure 4, I don’t agree that 3D image is suitable for the land usen demand results. I recommend the author to think this figure again.

6.       Figure 5, Are these drivers for a particular year? If the authors just use one year's data to predict scenarios for decades to come, then I do not think the results are credible.

 

7.       In the Discussion and Conclusion section, as I mentioned, I would suggest that the authors highlight the unique characteristics of geographic studies, especially in the context of the Blackland Conservation Strategy. I think a possible approach is that the authors can provide a reference for delineating the functional zoning of soil carbon storage in Heilongjiang Province based on the results of this paper. You can refer to the article "Land Zoning Management to Achieve Carbon Neutrality: A Case Study of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration", which was published in Land. 

Author Response

Thank you for your comments and suggestions concerning our manuscript. The comments and suggestions are all valuable and very helpful for revising and improving our paper, as well as the important guiding significance to our future researches. We have studied comments carefully and have made correction which we hope meet with approval. Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript entitled "Simulation of LUCC dynamics and estimation of carbon stock under different SSP-RCP scenarios in Heilongjiang provonce" bring important aspect on land use management that will ensure adequate vegetative cover which is crucial for sustainable caborn sequestration. The findings in this study are important for land use planners, policy makers, farmers, researchers, extension officers, students, and other readers. This manuscript is well written and did cover the key aspects in the research paper especially the limitations of the current study and proposed future research studies. However, I suggest the following to improve the quality of the manuscript:

1. The abbreviations or acronyms must be written in full when it is used for the first time whether in the abstract or main text, e.g. LUCC, etc. 

2. The hypothesis of this study must be defined clearly.

The quality of English Language is fine but needs minor editing.

Author Response

Thank you for your comments and suggestions concerning our manuscript. The comments and suggestions are all valuable and very helpful for revising and improving our paper, as well as the important guiding significance to our future researches. We have studied comments carefully and have made correction which we hope meet with approval.Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The author addressed all my concerns and I recommend publication.