A Web-Based Geoinformation System for Heritage Management and Geovisualisation in Cantón Nabón (Ecuador)
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The presented work obviously deserves attention and is of some scientific and practical interest. The issues of monitoring the preservation of cultural heritage considered by the authors are an urgent global problem. The originality of the work, the reality of the practical result obtained and its critical significance are beyond doubt. However, there are a number of comments on the presentation of the materials of the work that need to be corrected before publication:
- It is necessary to go through the spelling and exclude some words in Spanish that do not belong to proper names (for example, 88, 92 - facades).
- The presented Figures 4-7, which in essence display data models in the form of Class Diagrams and are the main result in this work, need to be corrected for the following reasons:
- specifying relationships between classes is not shown correctly and does not comply with the UML specification;
- in view of the fact that the diagrams describe an already working, and not an abstract system, it is necessary to clarify the data types and explain their relationship between classes, because now it is not clear which class inherits specific data and how their formats are transformed (it is not clear what is meant by featuretype).
- for better understanding by readers, the diagrams should be in English.
- As a consequence of the fact that from the point of view of methods of processing different types of geoformational data, the article looks more conceptual than fundamental, the authors need to add at least a diagram of the general conceptual architecture of the functioning of the system explaining the principles of obtaining, transforming and providing data.
- Also, in the discussion section of the results, I would like to see:
- a few words about how the authors' results relate to, for example, such a service as 3D Imaging Google Earth, etc. (meaning the prospects for integration interaction);
- how exactly can the processes of automatic updating of information and decision-making processes for heritage management be implemented using their system.
In general, bearing in mind that the authors have been dealing with this problem for several years and, probably, some mathematical methods of obtaining and processing data were presented by them in other works, the article has a more positive assessment than a negative one. Taking into account the proposed changes to the article, the work can be accepted for publication.
Author Response
REVIEWER 1
- It is necessary to go through the spelling and exclude some words in Spanish that do not belong to proper names (for example, 88, 92 - facades).
ANSWER: Thanks for your comment. We have minimised the number of Spanish words in the manuscript.
- The presented Figures 4-7, which in essence display data models in the form of Class Diagrams and are the main result in this work, need to be corrected for the following reasons: specifying relationships between classes is not shown correctly and does not comply with the UML specification; in view of the fact that the diagrams describe an already working, and not an abstract system, it is necessary to clarify the data types and explain their relationship between classes, because now it is not clear which class inherits specific data and how their formats are transformed (it is not clear what is meant by featuretype). for better understanding by readers, the diagrams should be in English.
ANSWER: Very good point!! We have changed all the figures considering UML specification in English.
- As a consequence of the fact that from the point of view of methods of processing different types of geoformational data, the article looks more conceptual than fundamental, the authors need to add at least a diagram of the general conceptual architecture of the functioning of the system explaining the principles of obtaining, transforming and providing data.
ANSWER: Thanks for your comment. Two additional figures are included to clarify both the architecture and the workflow.
- Also, in the discussion section of the results, I would like to see: a few words about how the authors' results relate to, for example, such a service as 3D Imaging Google Earth, etc. (meaning the prospects for integration interaction); how exactly can the processes of automatic updating of information and decision-making processes for heritage management be implemented using their system.
ANSWER: We have included some comments about decision-making in both the Introduction and the Conclusions. Regarding Google Earth, the information available from Cantón Nabón is so frustrating, only with some simple entitled hotspots on low-resolution satellite imagery, that we had to move to another mapping solution for managing cultural heritage assets.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors
It's a well-written manuscript. Please look into the following two points:
Figure 2: Please fill in the blanks with basic map data (scale bar, north-orientation)
Figure 3: Please include a citation if these images belong to someone else.
Please review the ithenticate report (attached) to see if it can help you to improve the quality of your writing.
Good luck
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
REVIEWER 2
- Figure 2: Please fill in the blanks with basic map data (scale bar, north-orientation)
ANSWER: We have replaced the figure with the inclusion of the necessary basic map elements.
- Figure 3: Please include a citation if these images belong to someone else.
ANSWER: Most of the figures include our own pictures, otherwise, they would be obviously cited.
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript presents a very interesting problem of constructing correct data models in GIS systems. This particular case plays a vital role in the national heritage, so designing an appropriate database is fundamental in further spatial analyses and documenting a factual object condition. The authors have done their work thoroughly and understandably. What is more, they have provided all the necessary details and explanations. Regarding that, the article is clearly and convincingly presented. The data models are understandable and well structured. The material is also sufficiently justified and pertinent. The software choice is convincingly explained and well-motivated.
Lines 194-195 contain information that needs to be appropriately referenced.
I suggest giving some additional information about the concept history in the introduction. Also, a more explicit expression about the necessity of building such a web portal for Equadoral national heritage would be desirable.
Hence, no other shortcomings are defined and, as soon as the authors provide the text with necessary improvements, it can be published without the necessity for another reviewing cycle.
I congratulate the authors on their valuable and professional work!
Author Response
REVIEWER 3
1.Lines 194-195 contain information that needs to be appropriately referenced.
ANSWER: The reference to the importance and position of the Spanish language has been added by quoting the Instituto Cervantes on the indicated lines.
2.I suggest giving some additional information about the concept history in the introduction.
ANSWER: In order to respond to this suggestion, we added the following lines (in red and italics) in the following paragraphs:
It is clear that knowledge of heritage is an indispensable fact for optimal territorial development and its management from a cultural approach, which should be based on the local history and customs of the place, if the goal is the conservation of the memory and cultural identity. In addition, many examples have shown that the application of a heritage management plan based on the local history and their memory are more successful and better received by citizens and neighbours
Also, a more explicit expression about the necessity of building such a web portal for Ecuadorian national heritage would be desirable.
The entire territory of Cantón Nabón has important archaeological remains, cultural traditions, and buildings that make Nabón a place with great cultural, historical and natural value [9]. Unfortunately, in spite of this cultural wealth, the territory of Nabón is mainly poor and considered as an underdeveloped area both at the provincial and national level. Therefore, with limited economical budgets the conservation of cultural heritage is always postponed even if in the National Ecuadorian Constitution the local municipalities has all the rights to protect, increment and disseminate the cultural and natural assets. In this scenario, the research undertaken is of great importance for the promotion and demonstration of its historical and cultural wealth, which has been forgotten for decades.
……
The cultural and natural richness of Nabón, has been clearly described but for a small Municipality with so many urgencies the cultural heritage management is not an easy task, consequently, a web portal can stored in a coherent structure all the available heritage data in order to keep up to date and support heritage decision-making.
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Conclusion:
Even so, this type of geoinformation tool is of great importance for small municipalities in Ecuador that need a tool to support their technicians in heritage decision-making.
