What Should Be Learned from the Dynamic Evolution of Cropping Patterns in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China? A Case Study of Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The theme related to the problem of this article is not new. However, the methodology would be something interesting, but there are data mentioned as a basis without any explanation about the source, form of acquisition, or generation of the data itself. This makes it difficult to analyze the quality and accuracy of the input data, in addition to the Lansdat images.
I didn't realize innovation in culture analysis, but when the authors use TUPU techniques, this seems interesting.
Figures are very not good. The study area figure needs to be improved including Country x locality x study area. A figure or photograph of the area would also fit to observe the difference in soil color in the image. I think the target differential has not been explicitly addressed and is needed.
The results need a visual reference. I would like to know if, even with high kappa, the results were qualitatively better. There is no such information in the article, despite talking about intense fieldwork. Missing information, missing images, photos of the area mainly of the results.
Author Response
Longcheng YAO
Northeast Agricultural University,
NO,600 Changjiang, Street
Harbin, Heilongjiang, Pr China 150030.
Dears Editors,
Thank you for your time and constructive suggestions. Your comments were once useful in improving our article because they were interesting. The article has been revised in three major steps in response to your comments.
Hence, we proceeded step by step to make the corrections clear and readable. The steps are described below.
- I have carefully read the new suggestions again.
- After this correction, we proceed to re-read the paper.
- Finally, the paper has been read by a native English speaker.
All corrections in the document are marked up using the "Track Changes" and underlined yellow. Please kindly see the PDF version of the cover letter, as it is the most current.
However, given the quality of the work, the relevance of the subject, and the relevance of the results, we are confident that this manuscript can be published in your journal.
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to this section. Please address all correspondence concerning this manuscript to us at duguoming@neau.edu.cn
With my best regards,
Longcheng YAO
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
(1) A brief summary (one short paragraph) outlining the aim of the paper
and its main contributions.
The authors gave response to the question posed in the title, that is "What Should be Learned from the Dynamic Evolution of Cropping Patterns in Black Soil Region of Northeast China? A Case Study of Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province". To answer this question they used the geo-information Tupu methods. The study period included 3 three-year periods with 5 years of break between the consequtive periods. The results show the changes in cropping periods. The socio-economic changes were taken into account when analysing the changes which adds to the value of the findings.
(2) Broad comments highlighting areas of strength and weakness. These
comments should be specific enough for authors to be able to respond.
In my opinion there are no weaknesses in this study and the paper can be published in its current form. The authors presented the case study area and the used methods in a very detailed way. The paper is well balanced when it comes to its structure.
(3) Specific comments referring to line numbers, tables or figures.
Figures are perfectly prepared. Especially fig. 4 is impressive.
Author Response
Longcheng YAO
Northeast Agricultural University,
NO,600 Changjiang, Street
Harbin, Heilongjiang, Pr China 150030.
Dears Editors,
Thank you for your time and constructive suggestions. Your comments were once useful in improving our article because they were interesting. The article has been revised in three major steps in response to your comments.
Hence, we proceeded step by step to make the corrections clear and readable. The steps are described below.
- I have carefully read the new suggestions again.
- After this correction, we proceed to re-read the paper.
- Finally, the paper has been read by a native English speaker.
All corrections in the document are marked up using the "Track Changes" and underlined yellow. Please kindly see the PDF version of the cover letter, as it is the most current.
However, given the quality of the work, the relevance of the subject, and the relevance of the results, we are confident that this manuscript can be published in your journal.
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to this section. Please address all correspondence concerning this manuscript to us at duguoming@neau.edu.cn
With my best regards,
Longcheng YAO
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The authors have attempted to explore the spatial and temporal variation of cropping patterns. The topic is highly relevant to the scope of the journal. I do not have thorough knowledge to comment on GIS application. However, the presentation is not clearly demonstrate the academic contribution.
There are different types of soils based on soil classification. However, to best of my knowledge, ‘black soil’ is not a technical term. If authors need to refer ‘black soil’, first instance they need to define what are refereeing.
How authors claim that soil erosion is mainly due to continuous rice, maize and soybeans? They need to provide evidence/ references.
The introduction section is too long but it is not sufficiently highlighted the research gap/ questions. I think better to keep separately the introduction and review of literature.
Authors have collected Landsat data for July-Aug. Maize as well as Soybean are annual crops. So how accurate to measure cropping pattern in this ground? Based on the data collection the methodological approach may not valid.
Basically this research show spatial variation over three time period. What is the contribution of this study to literature? Authors have discussed possible causality of cropping pattern change but those are not empirically captured within this research.
Some typos: see for example, line 49 (gain production).
Author Response
Longcheng YAO
Northeast Agricultural University,
NO,600 Changjiang, Street
Harbin, Heilongjiang, Pr China 150030.
Dears Editors,
Thank you for your time and constructive suggestions. Your comments were once useful in improving our article because they were interesting. The article has been revised in three major steps in response to your comments.
Hence, we proceeded step by step to make the corrections clear and readable. The steps are described below.
- I have carefully read the new suggestions again.
- After this correction, we proceed to re-read the paper.
- Finally, the paper has been read by a native English speaker.
All corrections in the document are marked up using the "Track Changes" and underlined yellow. Please kindly see the PDF version of the cover letter, as it is the most current.
However, given the quality of the work, the relevance of the subject, and the relevance of the results, we are confident that this manuscript can be published in your journal.
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to this section. Please address all correspondence concerning this manuscript to us at duguoming@neau.edu.cn
With my best regards,
Longcheng YAO
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Some final considerations:
1 - When I asked about the Figure 1 (study area), I suggest to put a map of CHINA, and the location of your study area after that. The readers must understand where is the specific study when they look at the Figure. Please, put China in the context of this Figure.
2 - I am still missing some visual information about the area. Why didn't you put some pics to support the analysis, support the area understanding? I think that it must be necessary. After all, I know that is remote sensing research, BUT RS is a technique that supports your objectives. Your area is not a remote sensing image, is real. Give the readers an idea of what about you are talking and analyzing.
Author Response
Longcheng YAO
Northeast Agricultural University,
NO,600 Changjiang, Street
Harbin, Heilongjiang, Pr China 150030.
Dears Editors,
Thank you for your time and constructive suggestions. Your comments were once useful in improving our article because they were interesting. The article has been revised in three major steps in response to your comments.
Hence, we proceeded step by step to make the corrections clear and readable. The steps are described below.
- I have carefully read the new suggestions again.
- After this correction, we proceed to re-read the paper.
- Finally, the paper has been read by a native English speaker.
All corrections in the document are marked up using the "Track Changes" and underlined yellow. Please kindly see the PDF version of the cover letter, as it is the most current.
However, given the quality of the work, the relevance of the subject, and the relevance of the results, we are confident that this manuscript can be published in your journal.
We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to this section. Please address all correspondence concerning this manuscript to us at duguoming@neau.edu.cn
With my best regards,
Longcheng YAO
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The new version has been improved.
Author Response
Thank you for your valuable suggestions and comments.
Best regards
