Responses of Nutrient Resorption to Human Disturbances in Phoebe bournei Forests

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

General comments

This manuscript demonstrates some interesting results with regard to mobile nutrient resorption and how it is affected by site disturbance.  Differences in foliar and soil N, P, and K concentrations and resorption rates are robust.  Furthermore, data quality can be validated by the co-occurrence of anticipated relationships between N and P, and soil and foliar values.  The paper represents a strong effort to present this information for the benefit of knowing that disturbance can affect nutrition and nutrient cycling in P. bournei and other forest systems. The manuscript requires much additional effort in four arenas.  First, English and grammar need considerable attention. Specific comments address this through line 66.  Second the authors make many statements that are not supported by their data in that they did not collect all the data needed to make the statement or the statement is vague or overly general.  It is suggested that the manuscript be revised to focus on the authors’ solid findings.  They should consider taking this opportunity to specifically report foliar nutrient concentration in their study compared to threshold values of nutrient limitations for P. bournei. Second, they should consider expressing their foliar concentrations as whole plant content values.  This information is required to make some of the statements in the paper at present and would require additional work to biomass a subset of trees in each site. If this is not possible, then consider submitting a smaller and very concise paper focused on concentrations and remobilization rates. Third, they should package their results to resolve the “why” of their findings and use the Discussion to focus only on these few questions. For example, it is very interesting that Leaf N x Leaf K, Leaf N x KRE, PRE x KRE, and PRE x soil N were correlated on the mild site but not on the severe site. What in the world caused this? Was there a breakdown of a cellular processes on the severe site? Finally, all variable names need to be reviewed for accuracy (e.g., concentration and content are not the same thing) and the methods and analyses sections needs to provide more details on what was done (e.g., see comments about statistical analyses). The methods section as well as tables and figures must provide enough information so that the study can be repeated.

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

I have reviewed the manuscript titled "Responses of nutrient resorption to human disturbances in Phoebe bournei forests". The topic is interesting and fits within the aims and scope of the journal. The article is very well written and illustrated. Statistical analysis of the experimental data was performed accurately and correctly. However, the abstract and introduction need improvement. I believe that the article can be accepted for publication in the Forests journal with minor revision. Find my comments enclosed in the manuscript.

Best regards

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

I can confirm that the subject matter of this study (Responses of nutrient resorption to human disturbances in Phoebe bournei forests) is of interest and relevance for publication in Forests.

I read with your interesting manuscript, and I have only minor comments to the Authors:

• in M&M add geographical coordinates
• Conclusion? - the conclusion should not be a summary of discussion. Make sure the conclusion is short and solid. An idea may be to synthetize in 3-5 bullet the key results of the study, evidences and recommendation. This improvement will increase clearness and readability. Add a practical implications statement.

Author Response

I can confirm that the subject matter of this study (Responses of nutrient resorption to human disturbances in Phoebe bournei forests) is of interest and relevance for publication in Forests.

I read with your interesting manuscript, and I have only minor comments to the Authors:

Response: We thank this reviewer for the evaluation and very positive comments of the manuscript.

Q1. in M&M add geographical coordinates

Response: We have added geographical coordinates in M&M. The study site is located in a P. bournei forest scenic spot (117°50′48.01″E, 27°23′11.55″N). We have added the map of study site in Appendix, Figure S1.

Q2. Conclusion? - the conclusion should not be a summary of discussion. Make sure the conclusion is short and solid. An idea may be to synthetize in 3-5 bullet the key results of the study, evidences and recommendation. This improvement will increase clearness and readability. Add a practical implications statement.

Response: Thank you for your suggestions. We have revised the Conclusion and now it reads: "This study analyzed the P. bournei forest nutrient resorption efficiencies under different human disturbances. These results showed that nutrient resorption was an important plant nutrient strategy respond to different human disturbances. Under the severe disturbance, the PF reabsorbed more P and K nutrients compared to the mild disturbance. Nutrient resorption efficiencies decreased with increases of green leaf nutrient contents under both disturbances, and strong reabsorbing ability for more nutrients in the foliar senescence process. Furthermore, the disturbance changed relationships between plant functional traits and nutrient resorption efficiencies, and the disturbance accelerated element flow and cycle. This study provided direct evidence of the impacts of disturbance on natural forest nutrients and nutrient resorptions, and generated scientific basis for protection of the PF. In practice, moderate disturbance is helpful to promote element flow in forest ecosystems, while excessive disturbance is detrimental to plant nutrient conservation and biodiversity maintenance. Future research needs to focus on the roles of plant interaction and soil microbial activity on nutrient resorption under the human disturbances in subtropical forests” (Lines 469-489).