Short and Long-Term Effect of Land Use and Management on Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Semi-Desert Areas of North Africa-Tunisia

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

 

This study attempts to provide an example of analyzing the short-term and long-term impact of land use and management on soil organic carbon stocks in semi desert areas. This is an interesting story, but the summary and introduction need to be sublimated. At present, it gives me and the author the feeling that it is only the description and analysis of two soil types in Tunisia. What is its significance? What is the significance to other countries or regions? Unfortunately, I didn't get any of this information.In addition, it is recommended that native English speaking professionals be invited to modify the language of the manuscript.

It is suggested that the manuscript be reconsidered after major modifications.

Specific comments:

Abstract:

Abstract is a short article that describes the important contents of the literature concisely and accurately without comments and supplementary explanations. Its basic elements include research purposes, methods, results and conclusions. Specifically speaking, it is the main object and scope of the research work, the means and methods adopted, the results and important conclusions drawn, and sometimes other important information with intelligence value. However, it is regrettable that the current situation is not satisfactory, and it is suggested to modify it.

Line 28, delete a space after "significant".

Introduction

The introduction part is used for the background, significance, development status and current level of this research field. Review and summarize the literature in related fields, including previous research results, problems solved, and evaluate or compare them appropriately.

It points out the unsolved problems and technical gaps left by the predecessors, and it can also put forward new problems, new methods and new ideas to solve these new problems, thus leading to the motivation and significance of their own research topics.

However, it is obvious that the introduction of this manuscript is insufficient.

I think there is no current discussion of two soil types in Tunisia, which should not be regarded as the innovation of this paper. Although not in Tunisia, I believe there must be similar research in similar climate areas. What is the difference between you and these studies, and what are your innovations?

It is suggested to modify it again.

Soil sampling and analytical methods

What classification system do you use? WRB? Or others, please explain clearly?

Why is the soil profile divided into two levels 0-40 and 40-100? What is the consideration? Why not divide it into more levels?

Results and discussion

Please separate the results from the discussion to make it clearer.

The current discussion is too scattered and not deep enough. There are lack of real discussion. It mainly focuses on the main points and needs to be in-depth. In addition, I suggest adding a part of uncertainty discussion, which is the most important part of global digital soil mapping. Your research is the spatial distribution of forest soil moisture, but this part is not involved at all. It is suggested to modify this part to make it more scientific.

L408 There are stock and storage in the manuscript, please unify.

 

Author Response

According to the suggestions, we have revised:

 

• The manuscript has been rewritten as can be seen in the attached document.
• The manuscript has been reviewed by the translation and interpretation service of the University of Córdoba by native’s English speaker
• All comments from reviewer have been accepted.
• As a result of comments from reviewers. The manuscript has been rewritten in its entirety, there is no match with the previous manuscript, and new chapters have even been added.

The team appreciates the comments of the reviewer since thanks to him, the manuscript has improved substantially.

Reviewer 2 Report

The main doubth I have got would be, if all the soil 16 profiles have got the same depht. Perhaps it was so it that climate conditions, however is unusual.

Author Response

The manuscript “Land use and management effect in short and long-term on soil organic carbon stock in semi-desert areas of North Africa - Tunisia” has been reviewed..

According to the suggestions, we have revised:

 

• The manuscript has been rewritten as can be seen in the attached document.
• The manuscript has been reviewed by the translation and interpretation service of the University of Córdoba by native’s English speaker
• All comments from reviewer have been accepted.
• As a result of comments from reviewers. The manuscript has been rewritten in its entirety, there is no match with the previous manuscript, and new chapters have even been added.

The team appreciates the comments of the reviewer since thanks to him, the manuscript has improved substantially.

Reviewer 3 Report

Please see the comments on the manuscript. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

The manuscript “Land use and management effect in short and long-term on soil organic carbon stock in semi-desert areas of North Africa - Tunisia” has been reviewed .

According to the suggestions, we have revised:

 

• The manuscript has been rewritten as can be seen in the attached document.
• The manuscript has been reviewed by the translation and interpretation service of the University of Córdoba by native’s English speaker
• All comments from reviewer have been accepted.
• As a result of comments from reviewers. The manuscript has been rewritten in its entirety, there is no match with the previous manuscript, and new chapters have even been added.

The team appreciates the comments of the reviewer since thanks to him, the manuscript has improved substantially.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors have made good modifications to the comments and suggest  the manuscript be accepted for publication.

Author Response

We would like to thank the reviewers and the editor for their effort in improving the document.

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors:

Thank you for addressing my concerns. Yet, I found several typos in the abstract and the rest of the bodies of the cleaned copy. It will be better to revise and address them before it is considered for publication. 

Author Response

We would like to thank the reviewers and the editor for their effort in improving the document.

According to the suggestions, we have revised:

• We have detected some typographical errors throughout the text that have been corrected.
• The manuscript has been reviewed by the translation and interpretation service of the University of Córdoba by native’s English speaker.