Structure and Carbon Capture of a Temperate Mixed Forest across Altitudinal Gradients in Northern Mexico

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Three main points of revised.

1. In introduction, it would be beneficial to include advancements in research regarding the impact of altitudinal gradients on forest structure and C capture.

2. In discussion, 4.2 Forest management strategies should be focus on population structure regulation rather than measures such as fertilization.

3. In discussion，4.3 C trade and 4.4 the social aspects were not highly relevant to the research and it is suggested to remove it.

Minor revised

1. According to the results, the title should be "Forest structure and Carbon capture of a temperated....。

2. Line 207-208，this content should remove to Method.

3. Line 225-239，the results of many other researchers should be included as comparative content in the discussion section. The same as in 3.4 section.

Author Response

Please see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have contributed an inventory of forest C along an altitudinal gradient in forests of Mexico mountain Chihuahua. The structure of the manuscript is good and the presentation of the main stats are regular and easy to follow. Despite that no clear scientific significance could be drawn from the main results because there is clearly a lacking of testable hypothesis in its current version, the numbers could be useful to potential audience who intend to integrate this part of the world into the whole puzzle of global C estimation. The overall language is good and understandable. Some specific points are made for the author to consider for the improvement of the paper, as follow:

L16: It is very questionable to see “global warming disturbances” here? How do you know the increased temperatures are disturbances rather than new regimes?

L59-70: We do NOT have any resilience analysis (results) in this manuscript to support the point you made here, then what’s the point to mention “resilience” in this part? Recommend to remove any remarks related to “resilience” in the manuscript.

L87: I have gone back the manuscript and found no solid evidences for any inferences about viable strategies to increase the resilience of these forests. So please remove this point.

Fig.3: It would be better to use a pie chart here.

Fig.4: Do we have any significance stats for the similarities?

Tables 4-5: These two figures could be merged somehow by removing redundant information.

Sections 4.2, 2.3, 4.4 should be shortened and merged to reduce the importance of these parts to the main body of the manuscript because you actually do not have any solid evidence to support these ideas which are probably right or probably wrong.

The overall language is good and understandable.

Author Response

Please see attached file

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper titled "Carbon Capture, Species Diversity, and Structure of a Temperate Forest by Altitudinal Gradients in Chihuahua, Mexico" provides valuable insights into the relationship between forest characteristics, species diversity, and carbon storage along altitudinal gradients in a mixed pine-oak forest ecosystem. However, several points should be addressed to enhance clarity, precision, and scientific rigor:

1. The introduction effectively highlights the importance of carbon capture in mitigating global warming and introduces the specific context of the study area. However, it could benefit from more explicit statements about the novelty of the research and the specific hypotheses being tested.

2. While the number of plots (151) is mentioned, more details regarding the spatial distribution, forest type, and climatic variability of the sample points would enhance the reproducibility and robustness of the study.

3. Provide information on the statistical methods used for clarification on how species richness and diversity indices were calculated and whether any multivariate analyses (e.g., ANOVA, PCA) were employed to explore relationships between variables.

4. The paper mentions the highest richness and diversity occurring at the 2101-2350 m altitudinal gradient, with lower values at higher elevations. Further interpretation of why this pattern exists and its ecological implications would enrich the discussion. Moreover, author could also relate climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, and others) to see their role in influencing the cabron capture potential. 

5. The observed increase in carbon storage with altitude and the contrasting trends between oak and pine forests are intriguing findings. However, the mechanisms driving these patterns should be elaborated upon, considering factors such as species composition, growth rates, and environmental conditions.

6. While the paper briefly touches upon the impact of climate change on forest dynamics, a more comprehensive discussion on how shifting climatic conditions may influence species distribution, forest structure, and carbon sequestration rates would provide greater context and relevance.

7. The discussion of strategies to maximize carbon storage is valuable, but it could be expanded to include specific management interventions, such as selective logging practices, afforestation efforts, and conservation measures tailored to the study area.

8. In conclusion, clearly articulate the key findings and their implications for forest management and conservation. Emphasize the practical relevance of the study's results and highlight avenues for future research to address remaining gaps in understanding.

Author Response

Please see attached file

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Just one more minor point about the title: "Carbon Capture, Species Diversity, and Structure of a Temperate Forest accross Altitudinal Gradients in Chihuahua, Mexico".

In general, the language is ok but still needs some editing before publish.

Reviewer 3 Report

Overall quality of the manuscript has been improved to some extent in the revised version.