Spatial Optimization of Land Use Pattern toward Carbon Mitigation Targets—A Study in Guangzhou
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1. What is the main question addressed by the research?The authors examined the relations between Guangzhou City's land-use patterns and the carbon emissions mitigation targets.
2. Do you consider the topic original or relevant in the field? Does it address a specific gap in the field?Overall, the paper covers an important and necessary topic in analyzing future scenarios considering distinct restrictions to land use expansion within the region.
However, this paper needs to provide a more critical discussion related to the cross-disciplinary scope of the journal Land.
3. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material? The case study in Guangzhou brings innovation to the discussion. 4. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered? Any. It is my opinion. 5. Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented and do they address the main question posed? No, as mentioned, this paper needs to provide a more critical discussion related to the cross-disciplinary scope of the journal Land. 6. Are the references appropriate? Yes. 7. Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures. I have no comments on the table and figures. They are fine.A few points must be better addressed:
Line 110: It is necessary to discuss better the impact of China's dual-carbon strategy and its impacts on the land-use types of urban China.
Line 504: More importantly, the Discussion section regarding the updated literature available must be better addressed in terms of the recent literature.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
THE PAPER DEALS WITH MATTERS OF GREAT CONCERN TO GUANGZHOU but the methodology and the various data manipulations and the derivation of coefficients has wider application in China (and maybe elsewhere). The paper is data rich and at places a little 'chunky' e.g. lines 44-45 where you should insert a comma AFTER 'construction land' ; lines 109-113 is chunky and needs re-writing. 240-241 where you could insert 'be' BEFORE 'less' on line 241 and line 430 where 'cultivated' shoud replace 'cultivate'
I attach a list of comments (line numbers are used)
109-113 This is strong clear sttement of the problems faced.
152 refers to linking land use and capture of Carbon
158-9 refinement of coeffcent (useful to know how)
229 Key Point!
240-241 (see above about how to fix
368-9 Another key point
370 I am not happy withthe use of 2 deimal points here and throut the paper, The data are derived, sorted but, at best. are estimates (first approximation) They sound 'scientific' but for a 'guess' rounding up should be adequate
384 Good summary
489-492 It seems almost futile
496 site specific
510-513 Core truth
534-538 A big problem
Overall you are to be commened for making a 'murky' situation more clear.
I recommend publication
See detailed notes and line numbers given to authors
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
This study performed an optimization analysis of Guangzhou's land use structure for carbon reduction. The research methodology and analysis results are very interesting. However, the following supplements are required.
1. The research is generally focused on analysis and methodology. Please provide detailed information on the background and necessity of the research in the introduction. In particular, technology is needed on the relationship between carbon reduction and space optimization.
2. A more detailed explanation of what this methodology and results mean is needed. Please supplement the introduction and provide more relevant references.
3. Please describe the properties of the collected data in more detail.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
My comments were adequately accommodated.
