Land Cover Change and Landscape Transformations (2000–2018) in the Rural Municipalities of the Upper Silesia-Zagłębie Metropolis
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Thank you for the opportunity of reviewing the paper entitled:Land Cover Change and Landscape Transformations (2000–2018) in the Rural Municipalities of the Upper Silesia-Zagłębie Metropolis
The first part of the paper did not attract my attention,because it seems clear to me that if you analyze such a long period of time (2000-2018) the result will be obvious, what we expect,which is the intensification of the landscape’s transformation caused by sub-urbanization. Instead,the following part of ’’Discussions’’ brings novelty to this paper ,however the presentation should be much more organized.From this part the contribution of the authors and the originality of the work may result.
I suggest the authors to systematize this part through ’’a cause-effect analysis ’’of the studied indicators (possibly synthesized in a table), through which the 2 objectives of the paper can be achieved:
-to determine changes in land cover in rural municipalities located in metropolitan areas;
-to detect the processes of landscape transformation with particular emphasis on their dynamics.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1
Reviewer 1: The first part of the paper did not attract my attention,because it seems clear to me that if you analyze such a long period of time (2000-2018) the result will be obvious, what we expect, which is the intensification of the landscape’s transformation caused by sub-urbanization.
Author’s response: Thank you for that comment. Of course, it is clear that in every area of agglomeration in Poland, suburbanization processes took place during this period. However, in this case it had a specific character of ‘inner’ suburbanization, which we point out in the discussion. For this reason, we believe that particular attention should be paid to this process in the case of this metropolis.
Reviewer 1: Instead, the following part of ’’Discussions’’ brings novelty to this paper ,however the presentation should be much more organized. From this part the contribution of the authors and the originality of the work may result.
Author’s response: The discussion was divided into three sections concerning the processes of landscape transformation as well as source data and the research procedure. Changing the structure of this fragment organizes the text and draws attention to the most important aspects included in the discussion. Moreover, the discussion was supplemented with a model illustrating the changes in the landscape (figure 9).
Reviewer 1: I suggest the authors to systematize this part through ’’a cause-effect analysis ’’of the studied indicators (possibly synthesized in a table), through which the 2 objectives of the paper can be achieved:
-to determine changes in land cover in rural municipalities located in metropolitan areas;
-to detect the processes of landscape transformation with particular emphasis on their dynamics.
Author’s response: The discussion was supplemented with a theoretical model of changes in the form of a diagram, which includes both information about the changes in land cover types and the landscape processes taking place (figure 9, page 14 of manuscript).
Other Author’s comment: We sincerely thank all the reviewers for their constructive comments that helped to improve the article.
Reviewer 2 Report
The general topis is of interest.
The paper is relatively short and is not very dense in content.
It would be good to mention the software used for research.
When explaining the formulas, it would be good to explain more in detail:
- For example that 2c is because the summed differences count for both increasing and decreasing values, otherwise it would count double
- Total area of municipality for different years is constant, otherwise the calculation would be more complex
In Figure 2 we can see the built areas, but we do not know about the other types of areas. From figures 3 to 7 we have the values for municipality, with increase, decrease and intensity. We are also given numerical values for different uses.
This means we can not know which areas are changing from which use to which new use. Also if some areas have changed use more times.
Therefore only the general numeric overview for the municipalities is given.
From this, it is difficult to have some more substantial results and discussion, which is evident in the paper as well, as a big part of discussion is literature review (that would be better moved to introduction).
This research should be further developed in more detail, especially related to spatial location and transformation from one use to another. This way the conclusion that it is evident that area of one use is transformed to another is not evident from the analysis presented in the paper.
Also “… have been successfully managed” is not evident from the presented research.
“… that rural areas are subject… sprawl process” – although it does happen everywhere in the world it is actually not directly evident from the research as the presented analysis gives data for municipal level and not spatially localized.
The same for “abandonment of arable land… wasteland”.
In authors contribution there are some xx and yy, also the statement of funding should be corrected.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2
Reviewer 2: The general topis is of interest. The paper is relatively short and is not very dense in content.
Author’s response: Thank you for that comment. The article has been formatted and supplemented with a theoretical scheme, which enriches its substantive content.
Reviewer 2: It would be good to mention the software used for research.
Author’s response: The text of the article has been supplemented with relevant information (page 18, line 118-120): ‘Cartographic analysis on land cover changes as well as cartographic visualization was done in the ArcGIS software. The calculations of indicators of landscape changes were made in the Microsoft Excel software.’
Reviewer 2: When explaining the formulas, it would be good to explain more in detail: For example that 2c is because the summed differences count for both increasing and decreasing values, otherwise it would count double. Total area of municipality for different years is constant, otherwise the calculation would be more complex.
Author’s response: The text of the article has been supplemented with the above information. Thank you for pointing out this lack. The fixes are on page 5, line 125-126.
Reviewer 2: In Figure 2 we can see the built areas, but we do not know about the other types of areas.
Author’s response: Figure 2 has been changed in its shape and layout to ensure the legibility of the inscriptions. It only contains information on built-up areas, which relates thematically to the above data on population growth in metropolitan municipalities. Population growth is closely related to residential areas, therefore built-up areas have been selected to illustrate this phenomenon.
Reviewer 2: From figures 3 to 7 we have the values for municipality, with increase, decrease and intensity. We are also given numerical values for different uses. This means we can not know which areas are changing from which use to which new use. Also if some areas have changed use more times.
Author’s response: The volume of the article allows for the presentation of the final results of work in this case in the form of cartographic and tabular. Nevertheless, the article was supplemented with a diagram giving a graphic image of landscape transformations (Figure 9). In addition, work is underway to continue this research topic on a more detailed scale. The results of this research in the future will complement this article with specific case studies.
Reviewer 2: Therefore only the general numeric overview for the municipalities is given. From this, it is difficult to have some more substantial results and discussion, which is evident in the paper as well, as a big part of discussion is literature review (that would be better moved to introduction).
Author’s response: The discussion was divided into 3 sub-chapters, thematically related to the transformation of the landscape as well as the method and source data used. Moreover, it was supplemented with a graphic diagram concerning the transformation of the landscape in the analyzed municipalities. It illustrates the processes characterized in the discussion and supported by examples from other publications.
Reviewer 2: This research should be further developed in more detail, especially related to spatial location and transformation from one use to another. This way the conclusion that it is evident that area of one use is transformed to another is not evident from the analysis presented in the paper.
Author’s response: Supplementing the discussion with a diagram with information about what types of cover change into others illustrates the most important processes of landscape transformation. Nevertheless, the research will be continued on a more detailed scale with regard to the entire metropolitan area.
Reviewer 2: Also “… have been successfully managed” is not evident from the presented research.
Author’s response: The authors hope that after the introduced changes, such a statement can be used and the detection of landscape changes can be described as completed.
Reviewer 2: “… that rural areas are subject… sprawl process” – although it does happen everywhere in the world it is actually not directly evident from the research as the presented analysis gives data for municipal level and not spatially localized.
Author’s response: The surveyed municipalities are subject to the process of urban sprawl, which can be seen in the analysis of changes in coverage, both on the map and in the diagram. However, as mentioned above, the research will be continued at a more detailed scale.
Reviewer 2: The same for “abandonment of arable land… wasteland”.
Author’s response: The research carried out for the scale of municipalities allowed for such a statement, however, after making them more detailed, in the future it will be possible to indicate specific areas subject to these processes, and not only municipalities.
Other Author’s comment: We sincerely thank all the reviewers for their constructive comments that helped to improve the article.
Reviewer 3 Report
The topic is interesting but it's not new and it should be connected to the soil planning and management policy of the study area, as proposed by the authors for future research. However the paper seems insipient because it is the first part of a broader solid investigation.
Legends in the figures are not legible.
There are several duplicated ideas in the introduction. It should be reviewed.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 3
Reviewer 3: The topic is interesting but it's not new and it should be connected to the soil planning and management policy of the study area, as proposed by the authors for future research. However the paper seems insipient because it is the first part of a broader solid investigation.
Author’s response: The article deals only with changes in individual types of land cover, and thus with the processes of landscape transformation. Moreover, only the rural areas of the metropolis were selected for the analysis. Nevertheless, the content of one article does not allow exhausting the thematic issues of spatial planning and spatial management policy. Therefore, it is planned to continue this research topic in a series of future works with respect to a more detailed scale and area of research.
Reviewer 3: Legends in the figures are not legible.
Author’s response: All figures in the article have been enlarged or rearranged to ensure legibility. In addition, they were sent to the system in high resolution, which in the published version of the work should guarantee good quality and readability.
Reviewer 3: There are several duplicated ideas in the introduction. It should be reviewed.
Author’s response: Several ideas may be repeated in the introduction, however, it results from the substantive division of this part into: theoretical introduction of urbanization, an overview of the urban sprawl process, a review of the literature on this subject and the relationship between land cover changes and the ongoing landscape transformation processes. All these parts de facto concern problematically similar content, hence some phrases may be repeated. The introduction completes the purpose of the article.
Other Author’s comment: We sincerely thank all the reviewers for their constructive comments that helped to improve the article.
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
The comments are partially accepted. There are no new comments
Reviewer 3 Report
As it is considered by the authors that is missing an in deep study related with the land use policies, it can be accepted as the first approach to the subject in the study area.
