Conceptualizing Forest Operations Planning and Management Using Principles of Functional Complex Systems Science to Increase the Forest’s Ability to Withstand Climate Change

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for the opportunity to review your paper “Conceptualizing Forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the forest's

ability to withstand climate change.” as submitted to Land (MDPI).

1. What is the main question addressed by the research?

The main question addressed by this research is viewing and conceptualizing forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the

forest's ability to withstand climate change.

2. What parts do you consider original or relevant for the field? What

specific gap in the field does the paper address?

The manuscript creates a new framework that addresses the forest operations planning and management viewing, under the lens of functional complex systems science to increase the forest's

ability to withstand climate change. Introduction is relevant and covers all the aspects of the recommended theme. Also, the bibliography is updated and theory based.

3. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published

material? As we go into the Anthropocene Epoch, we are being compelled to reevaluate our past and present methods of managing and planning our forest operations in order to find new ones that are more adaptable and successful at addressing the growing unpredictability resulting from accelerating global change.

4. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered?

In table 1, 5 categories have been established for world's major forest operations: Timber-oriented, Nature-based, Sustainable Forest Operations, Multi-purpose Forest Operations, and Conceptual Global Change Driven Approaches Based on Complex Science Systems Theory. These general ideas reflect the essential characteristics of the methods, according to the pertinent literature. Using data from the literature, each technique is grouped according to their principal management aims (up to two). Any other benefits that could be attained but are not particularly targeted are marked with a

cross. The authors could improve the recommended papers by taking under consideration the most semantic.

5. Please describe how the conclusions are or are not consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. Please also indicate if all main questions posed were addressed and by which specific experiments.

The conclusions are presented well-written and are very helpful and show the effectiveness of the suggested framework. The conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented in the introduction as the research gap that this manuscript comes to fill.

6. Are the references appropriate?

The references have to be placed in numerical order.

7. Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures and quality of the data.

The quality of Figure 1 and 2 can be improved. 

=============

1. It is necessary to be included further related references.

2. The discussion should be improved. There needs to be more comparative analysis with other studies.

3. The conclusions should be improved in a more concisely way and compared with similar studies.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English writing is acceptable.

 

Author Response

Thank you for your recommendations in our paper “Conceptualizing Forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the forest's ability to withstand climate change.” as submitted to Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

 

1. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the
   methodology? What further controls should be considered?

In table 1, 5 categories have been established for world's major forest operations: Timber-oriented, Nature-based, Sustainable Forest Operations, Multi-purpose Forest Operations, and Conceptual Global Change Driven Approaches Based on Complex Science Systems Theory. These general ideas reflect the essential characteristics of the methods, according to the pertinent literature. Using data from the literature, each technique is grouped according to their principal management aims (up to two). Any other benefits that could be attained but are not particularly targeted are marked with a cross. The authors could improve the recommended papers by taking under consideration the most semantic.

 

Response

We have updated the most important papers in Table 1 according to the reviewer’s recommendation. The authors that have been selected have published some of the most important papers in the field of “forest operations planning and management” .

 

2. 
   Are the references appropriate?

The references have to be placed in numerical order.

Response

We have placed the references in numerical order according to the reviewer’s recommendation.

3. 
   Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures and
   quality of the data.

The quality of Figure 1 and 2 can be improved.

Response

We have improved the quality of Figure 1 and 2 according to the reviewer’s recommendation.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The format of this paper is unique. It can be seen that the author wants to write some scientific research papers that are different from others. This manuscript has some reference value for forest operations planning and management, but I think that just a text summary is not enough. It is best to provide corresponding data to prove your core points. Additionally, I think the manuscript has too many paragraphs, which makes it cluttered and not conducive to reading.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English can be improve.

Author Response

Thank you for your recommendations in our paper “Conceptualizing Forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the forest's ability to withstand climate change.” as submitted to Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

 

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The format of this paper is unique. It can be seen that the author wants to write some scientific research papers that are different from others. This manuscript has some reference value for forest operations planning and management, but I think that just a text summary is not enough. It is best to provide corresponding data to prove your core points. Additionally, I think the manuscript has too many paragraphs, which makes it cluttered and not conducive to reading.

Response

1. a) We have made an updated version including your comments about the relevant references. We have referenced the most important of them ‘121” in the field of forest operations planning and management and the complex system science in forest management.
2. b) The cited references are relevant to the research and the most updated.

 

1. c) The main question addressed by this research is viewing and conceptualizing forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the forest operations planning and management ability to withstand climate change.

The research design is based on a synthesis of the published papers:

• Messier, C., Puettmann, K., Chazdon, R., Andersson, K. P., Angers, V. A., Brotons, L., ... & Levin, S. A. (2015). From management to stewardship: viewing forests as complex adaptive systems in an uncertain world. Conservation Letters, 8(5), 368-377.
• Filotas, E., Parrott, L., Burton, P. J., Chazdon, R. L., Coates, K. D., Coll, L., ... & Messier, C. (2014). Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science. Ecosphere, 5(1), 1-23.

In table 1, 5 categories have been established for world's major forest operations: Timber-oriented, Nature-based, Sustainable Forest Operations, Multi-purpose Forest Operations, and Conceptual Global Change Driven Approaches Based on Complex Science Systems Theory. These general ideas reflect the essential characteristics of the methods, according to the pertinent literature. Using data from the literature, each technique is grouped according to their principal management aims (up to two). Any other benefits that could be attained but are not particularly targeted are marked with a cross.

 

1. d) The method is described in Materials and Methods extensively.
2. e) The results are presented clearly. Also, the figure 1 presents the research outputs.
3. f) The conclusions are presented clearly too. Additionally, the figure 2 presents the conclusions.

 

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is more like a summary of different topics of forestry in one paper, though the author argued the paper proposed strategy for effective forest operations with a functional complex network approach in order to manage forests.

I summarized my comments below.

 

1.   The introduction is very long and redundant. Because of the very long introduction, the reader may not grasp the significance of the study, and it also does not reflect the significant of the study. The author may omit some description, e.g., the information mentioned in the very first paragraph (Line 40 – 43) is repeatedly and broadly described in the later paragraphs (Line 48 – 89). I would like to recommend to restructure the introduction so that it reflects the significant of the study.

 

2.  The whole manuscript is more like a literature review. Though the author argued that the manuscript cover the whole world, the paper failed to clarify it. How many papers did you review for your study? What is the criterial for the selection of the papers? In Line 190-191, you mentioned “By examining the objectives and constraints of historical and present forest operations planning and management techniques in response to challenges of the….”. However, I do not understand how you examined. It didn’t mention in the materials and methods.

 

3.  The materials and methods section do not provide information on the methods used in this manuscript.

 

4.  Since the author didn’t mention the clear methodology in the materials and methods section, I don’t understand where is the result derived from? The results are also like a literature review.

 

5. As I already mentioned, the paper is more like a brief summary of the different topics of forestry. The manuscript doesn’t provide new insight into forest operation planning as the author argue.

 

6.  Conclusion is also very long. I don’t know the main results of the paper.

 

7.  Please check the numbering in the whole manuscript. Please also check English.

 

8.  Please also revise the references section.

Author Response

Thank you for your recommendations in our paper “Conceptualizing Forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the forest's ability to withstand climate change.” as submitted to Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

 

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is more like a summary of different topics of forestry in one paper, though the author argued the paper proposed strategy for effective forest operations with a functional complex network approach in order to manage forests.

I summarized my comments below.

 

1. The introduction is very long and redundant. Because of the very long introduction, the reader may not grasp the significance of the study, and it also does not reflect the significant of the study. The author may omit some description, e.g., the information mentioned in the very first paragraph (Line 40 – 43) is repeatedly and broadly described in the later paragraphs (Line 48 – 89). I would like to recommend to restructure the introduction so that it reflects the significant of the study.

 

Response

 

In order to improve the forest's resilience to climate change, the primary topic this research attempts to answer is how to perceive and conceptualize forest operations planning and management via the lens of functional complex systems science.

 

Indeed, we present an extended literature review in the field of forest operations planning and management and the complex systems science and forest management. Therefore, we cover every aspect of our theme.  Hence, the purpose of the article is to strengthen the resilience of the forest to climate change by developing a new framework that views forest operations planning and management through the functional complex systems science lens.

 

The introduction addresses every facet of the suggested theme and is pertinent. The bibliography has been updated and is grounded in theory.The facts and arguments made in the introduction supporting the research gap this publication aims to address are supported by the conclusions.

 

 

 

2. The whole manuscript is more like a literature review. Though the author argued that the manuscript cover the whole world, the paper failed to clarify it. How many papers did you review for your study? What is the criterial for the selection of the papers? In Line 190-191, you mentioned “By examining the objectives and constraints of historical and present forest operations planning and management techniques in response to challenges of the….”. However, I do not understand how you examined. It didn’t mention in the materials and methods.

 

1. c) The main question addressed by this research is viewing and conceptualizing forest operations planning and management using the principles of functional complex systems science to increase the forest operations planning and management ability to withstand climate change.

The research design is based on a synthesis of the published papers:

• Messier, C., Puettmann, K., Chazdon, R., Andersson, K. P., Angers, V. A., Brotons, L., ... & Levin, S. A. (2015). From management to stewardship: viewing forests as complex adaptive systems in an uncertain world. Conservation Letters, 8(5), 368-377.
• Filotas, E., Parrott, L., Burton, P. J., Chazdon, R. L., Coates, K. D., Coll, L., ... & Messier, C. (2014). Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science. Ecosphere, 5(1), 1-23.

In table 1, 5 categories have been established for world's major forest operations: Timber-oriented, Nature-based, Sustainable Forest Operations, Multi-purpose Forest Operations, and Conceptual Global Change Driven Approaches Based on Complex Science Systems Theory. These general ideas reflect the essential characteristics of the methods, according to the pertinent literature. Using data from the literature, each technique is grouped according to their principal management aims (up to two). Any other benefits that could be attained but are not particularly targeted are marked with a cross.

 

 

3. The materials and methods section do not provide information on the methods used in this manuscript.

 

The method is based on a synthesis of the published papers:

• Messier, C., Puettmann, K., Chazdon, R., Andersson, K. P., Angers, V. A., Brotons, L., ... & Levin, S. A. (2015). From management to stewardship: viewing forests as complex adaptive systems in an uncertain world. Conservation Letters, 8(5), 368-377.
• Filotas, E., Parrott, L., Burton, P. J., Chazdon, R. L., Coates, K. D., Coll, L., ... & Messier, C. (2014). Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science. Ecosphere, 5(1), 1-23.

Also, in table 1, 5 categories have been established for world's major forest operations: Timber-oriented, Nature-based, Sustainable Forest Operations, Multi-purpose Forest Operations, and Conceptual Global Change Driven Approaches Based on Complex Science Systems Theory. These general ideas reflect the essential characteristics of the methods, according to the pertinent literature. Using data from the literature, each technique is grouped according to their principal management aims (up to two). Any other benefits that could be attained but are not particularly targeted are marked with a cross.

 

 

 

4. Since the author didn’t mention the clear methodology in the materials and methods section, I don’t understand where is the result derived from? The results are also like a literature review.

 

We have updated the results and they are presented clearly. Also, the figure 1 presents the research outputs.

 

 

5. As I already mentioned, the paper is more like a brief summary of the different topics of forestry. The manuscript doesn’t provide new insight into forest operation planning as the author argue.

 

Response

 

Well, our team have different opinion and we strongly believe that based on our work a new framework for modern forest operations is recommended. Therefore, forest operations planning and management will face the new challenges from climate change. Our work presents an interdisciplinary approach and the proposed strategy combines the effectiveness of forest operations with a functional complex network approach in order to manage forests for the Anthropocene.

Probably the reader has to see and understand the new perspective of the work.

 

 

 

6. Conclusion is also very long. I don’t know the main results of the paper.

 

Response

The conclusions have been updated and are presented clearly. Additionally, the figure 2 presents the conclusions.

 

7. Please check the numbering in the whole manuscript. Please also check English.

 

Response

 

We have updated the automated numbering on our text.

 

8. Please also revise the references section.

 

Response

 

We have updated the references list.

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

No more comments.