Research on the Temporal and Spatial Distribution and Influencing Factors of Forestry Output Efficiency in China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Please restructure some formulas from section 2.1
In section 3 please extend the productivity approach and if it is not the microeconomic concept please define forest productivity
Please explain in a few sentences the economic and social implications of Moran's Index scatter diagrams, otherwise the mathematical model remains out of phase and distinct from its sociological purpose.(Fig 2)
For such a well-crafted mathematical model, please expand the conclusions section
Please check if all references are included
Please check spelling and grammar
Author Response
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you so much for your kind attention and valuable comments, which are very important to optimize our paper. We have revised and supplemented the manuscript as requested, and please see the point-by-point response as below. The revised manucript is also attached for your reference.
Best regards
Lin Yu
Point 1: Please restructure some formulas from section 2.1
Response 1: All the formulas from section 2.1 are restructured to be fit for the journal format.
Point 2: In section 3 please extend the productivity approach and if it is not the microeconomic concept please define forest productivity
Response 2: The total factor productivity of forestry is explained at the beginning of Section 3 (Page 6) as follow.
Total factor productivity (TFP) is a measure of productivity calculated by dividing economy-wide total production by the weighted average of inputs i.e. labour and capital. It represents growth in real output which is in excess of the growth in inputs such as labour and capital. In this sense, the TFP of forestry represents the interrelation of forestry input and forestry output, which is a significant parameter to assess the forestry output efficiency.
Point 3: Please explain in a few sentences the economic and social implications of Moran's Index scatter diagrams, otherwise the mathematical model remains out of phase and distinct from its sociological purpose.(Fig 2)
Response 3: Definition and the implications of Moran's I are explained below the scatter diagrams by the first paragraph on Page 14 as follow.
Moran's Index verifies whether there is correlation among the entities in specific space, and the index varies from -1 to 1. If the value falls into [0,1], it means the entities are positively correlated; if the value falls into [-1,0], the entities are negatively correlated; and if the value is 0, the entities are not correlated to each other. So in this paper Moran's Index is used to evaluate the spatial correlation of the 31 provinces in terms of forestry output efficiency and reveal the geographical features of those correlating provinces.
Point 4: For such a well-crafted mathematical model, please expand the conclusions section
Response 4: The conclusion section is expanded by one more paragraph of suggestions to tackle the current challenges at the end of the paper (Page 17) as follow.
Finally, in order to tackle the problems mentioned above, substantial actions should be taken accordingly. 1. The government and forestry authorities should establish a relatively stable system of forestry policies and maintain continued implementation of those policies to guarantee the coherent and sustainable forestry development. 2. More efforts should be made to promote and popularize the latest and innovative forestry technologies so as to further increase the forestry output efficiency. 3. More resources (policy, capital, personnel, technology etc.) should be allocated to those provinces with low and medium TFP to narrow the gap between the eastern, western and central regions, and facilitate the balanced national forestry development, and thus contribute to the global sustainable forestry development. 4. A mechanism should be initiated to adjust the interaction of fixed asset input, employed personnel, total output value and timber output, so as to realize the optimal forestry output efficiency.
Point 5: Please check if all references are included
Response 5: More references are added to the paper and all are included in the reference list.
Point 6: Please check spelling and grammar
Response 6: All the spelling and grammar are double-checked.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript: “Research on the Temporal and Spatial Distribution and Influencing Factors of Forestry Output Efficiency in China” deal with forestry output efficiency in China with analyzing changes of efficiency in spatial distribution and time horizon. Presented methodology and the results of study are relevant and can be interesting for Sustainability readers, but some parts of the manuscript, especially paragraph “2. Research Methods and Data Sources” should be improved.
General comments:
- Style of citing literature should be changed according to “Sustainability” standard e.g. not “(Wei, Y. 2010)” but [1] –
- References are not sufficient – especially when introducing a models source with detailed description of model should be cited. Literature are mostly limited to China and from this topic worldwide literature exist including assessment of forestry output efficiency using DEA and Malmquist index.
Specific comments:
- Formula 1. - description of symbols: “VB, Y0, X0, j” should be given.
2.Formula 2 and formula 3 are not readable – it is not possible to assess if they are correct.
- – “2.2 Data Source” line 5-7 of page 5 is almost repetition of the last sentence from previous page (4).
- “2.2 Data Source” -short explanation of “primary, secondary, and tertiary forestry outputs” should be given.
- Table 1. Data source is the same “China Forestry Statistical Yearbook” in whole table so it can be removed from main body of table and given in footer of table, “calculation” – is not proper description of data source.
- Figure 1. – colours in all legends are the same so maybe one legend will be sufficient – in such case numbers in brackets should be removed from legend.
- Figure 2 – description should be improved.
- References – should be corrected according to journal standard. e.g. some titles are written in “…”.
Additional remark – Technical efficiency give information “how efficiently inputs are converted into outputs” so increasing of inputs level will always negatively influenced efficiency and increasing of outputs level will always positively influenced efficiency. – result of this study confirmed this rule.
Author Response
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you so much for your kind attention and valuable comments, which are very important to optimize our paper. We have revised and supplemented the manuscript as requested, and please see the point-by-point response as below.
Best regards
Lin Yu
Point 1: Style of citing literature should be changed according to “Sustainability” standard e.g. not “(Wei, Y. 2010)” but [1] –
Response 1: All cited literature has been changed according to Sustainability standard.
Point 2: References are not sufficient – especially when introducing a models source with detailed description of model should be cited. Literature are mostly limited to China and from this topic worldwide literature exist including assessment of forestry output efficiency using DEA and Malmquist index.
Response 2: More references have been added to the manuscript, and all included in the reference list.
Point 3: Formula 1. - description of symbols: “VB, Y0, X0, j” should be given.
Response 3: description of the symbols are added below Formula 1 on Page 4 as follow.
VB stands for the minimum validity of output efficiency.
X0 and Y0 respectively represent the initial input and output of the decision-making units.
j is the serial number of the decision-making units, and n is the quantity of the decision-making units.
Point 4: Formula 2 and formula 3 are not readable – it is not possible to assess if they are correct.
Response 4: The formulas are generated by the Microsoft Formula Editor and are mathematically correct. They are not readable maybe because of different Microsoft versions.
Point 5: “2.2 Data Source” line 5-7 of page 5 is almost repetition of the last sentence from previous page (4).
Response 5: The repetition part (line 5-7) is deleted.
Point 6: “2.2 Data Source” -short explanation of “primary, secondary, and tertiary forestry outputs” should be given.
Response 6: Explanations of primary, secondary and tertiary forestry outputs were added to the first paragraph of Section 2.2 on Page 5 as follow
The primary forestry output is generated by plantations and logging industry, the secondary forestry output is derived from the production of forestry processing and manufacturing enterprises, while forest tourism, recreation and leisure services constitute the tertiary forestry output.
Point 7: Table 1. Data source is the same “China Forestry Statistical Yearbook” in whole table so it can be removed from main body of table and given in footer of table, “calculation” – is not proper description of data source.
Response 7: "Data Source" is removed from the table and footer is inserted on Page 6.
Point 8: Figure 1. – colours in all legends are the same so maybe one legend will be sufficient – in such case numbers in brackets should be removed from legend.
Response 8: The pictures are generated by Geoda software, and the legends cannot be deleted, which is a technical setting of the software. We are sorry about that.
Point 9: Figure 2 – description should be improved.
Response 9: Description of Figure 2 is improved by adding explanations of Moran's Index at the beginning on Page 14 as follow.
Moran's Index verifies whether there is correlation among the entities in specific space, and the index varies from -1 to 1. If the value falls into [0,1], it means the entities are positively correlated; if the value falls into [-1,0], the entities are negatively correlated; and if the value is 0, the entities are not correlated to each other. So in this paper Moran's Index is used to evaluate the spatial correlation of the 31 provinces in terms of forestry output efficiency and reveal the geographical features of those correlating provinces.
Point 10: References – should be corrected according to journal standard. e.g. some titles are written in “…”.
Response 10: All references are double checked according to Sustainability standard.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors!
The issue addressed in the paper discusses the influencing factors of forestry output efficiency in China. In my opinion, an important and interesting topic was proposed, compatible with the scope of the journal. Such studies are partially analysed in literature. It would be worth presenting the state of the art in a broader way (please complete point 1). I suggest you define the research hypotheses precisely. State of the art should be more related to your research questions.
Generally, in the proposed scope, the paper was prepared correctly. However, I recommend a few corrections to improve the quality of this article:
- to precisely define the research scenario (it is very general); needed to clarify the scope of the study and consequently a clear, step-by-step, simple, synthetic research pattern; I recommend more precision, as the reader should know how to repeat a similar analysis on this basis (please consistently correct and complete point 2);
- to improve the readability and description of figures (since they are the basis for model verification), supplement the history of their description, a clear and not laconic reference in the paper (Fig. 1 and Fig.2.);
- to explain briefly whether there is need to use, for instance, other methods (first of all, I suggest explaining what are the weaknesses of the proposed method, and what are the strengths, practical advantages; please complete point 3);
I also strongly suggest that recommendations for specific, practical, not only general (and not entirely clear) applications of this research shall be provided (please complete point 4).
The language of this paper is relatively correct, however some descriptions would benefit from being more concise. I think it is worth using the help of a native speaker.
Author Response
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you so much for your kind attention and valuable comments, which are very important to optimize our paper. We have revised and supplemented the manuscript as suggested, and please see the point-by-point response as below.
Best regards
Lin Yu
Point 1: The issue addressed in the paper discusses the influencing factors of forestry output efficiency in China. In my opinion, an important and interesting topic was proposed, compatible with the scope of the journal. Such studies are partially analysed in literature. It would be worth presenting the state of the art in a broader way. I suggest you define the research hypotheses precisely. State of the art should be more related to your research questions.
Response 1: the state of the art is further presented in the introduction section (page 2) as follow.
So far, intensive studies have been conducted on forestry output efficiency both in and outside China, which have contributed to the improvement of forestry output efficiency and the enhancement of the forestry quality of China, and provided significant theoretical basis for this paper. These studies, however, have not deeply investigated or even predict the overall trend and regularity of forestry development, in spite of some intensive studies on regional forestry development or certain related subjects. At the same time, forestry output efficiency, which dynamically changes, is subject to geographic conditions and natural resources and has strong temporal and spatial characteristics, and no studies have carried out a combined research pattern of temporal and spatial approaches to explore the temporal fluctuations and geographical aggregation of the forestry output efficiency. This is the key reason why we conducted this research and this paper is aimed at establishing a synthetic system of temporal and spatial approaches for forestry output efficiency which is supposed to be widely applicable to researches upon forestry output efficiency
Point 2: Precisely define the research scenario (it is very general); needed to clarify the scope of the study and consequently a clear, step-by-step, simple, synthetic research pattern; I recommend more precision, as the reader should know how to repeat a similar analysis on this basis.
Response 2: the research scenario is further clarified at the beginning of Section 2 (Page 3) as follow, to usher in the explanations of research methods and data source of the paper
In order to reveal the temporal and spatial characteristics of forestry output efficiency, we collected the forestry statistic data from China Forestry Statistical Yearbooks from 1998 to 2017 (20 years), to guarantee the precision and continuity of data for temporal and spatial analysis. As for temporal analysis, DEA-Malmquist Index was used to analyze the temporal fluctuations of forestry input and output during the 20 years; spatial autocorrelation model and fixed effects model were used to explore the spatial interrelation of the 31 provinces so as to unveil the national geographical aggregation of forestry output efficiency. With the analysis data, we drew the spatial aggregation figure and Moran's Index scatter diagrams to further investigate the geographical interrelation of the 31 provinces in terms of forestry output efficiency. Based on these analysis results, we finally put forward a series of suggestions on enhancing forestry output efficiency and maintaining a balanced national forestry development.
Point 3: Improve the readability and description of figures (since they are the basis for model verification), supplement the history of their description, a clear and not laconic reference in the paper (Fig. 1 and Fig.2.);
Response 3: Brief introduction to Figure 1 is added at the beginning of Section 3.3 as follow at the end of Page 8.
Due to the regional characteristics of forestry, such as the geographic environment and the distribution of different forest resources, the comprehensive technical efficiency of the forestry output falls into different forestry output belts. In this paper, the change diagram of the comprehensive technical efficiency of the forestry output of the 31 provinces and cities was drawn (Figure 1) based on the spatial aggregation analysis during the 20 years. To better demonstrate the comprehensive technical efficiency over the years, all provinces and cities were divided into five groups (≤0.2, 0.2–0.5, 0.5–0.7, 0.7–0.9, and ≥0.9). The provinces or cities with a deeper color had a higher comprehensive technical efficiency of the forestry output.
Brief introduction to Figure 2 is added at the begging of Page 14 as follow.
Moran's Index verifies whether there is correlation among the entities in specific space, and the index varies from -1 to 1. If the value falls into [0,1], it means the entities are positively correlated; if the value falls into [-1,0], the entities are negatively correlated; and if the value is 0, the entities are not correlated to each other. So in this paper Moran's Index is used to evaluate the spatial correlation of the 31 provinces in terms of forestry output efficiency and reveal the geographical features of those correlating provinces.
Point 4: Explain briefly whether there is need to use, for instance, other methods (first of all, I suggest explaining what are the weaknesses of the proposed method, and what are the strengths, practical advantages).
Response 4: the suitability of the research methods is further explained at the beginning of Section 2 (paragraph 2) on Page 3 as follow.
DEA-Malmquist Index and Fixed Effects Model are among the most widely used methods for mathematical economics, and especially for the researches on multiple input and output indicators, and thus are the key models to pillar the mathematical framework of this paper. Spatial Autocorrelation focuses on the spatial and geographical interrelations among all the research entities, and thus is the core method to analyze the spatial aggregation of the provinces in terms of forestry output efficiency. For further and similar studies, more methods could be involved according to the research focus and mathematical orientations.
Point 5: I also strongly suggest that recommendations for specific, practical, not only general (and not entirely clear) applications of this research shall be provided.
Response 5: The application of this research is added to the end of the Introduction Section on Page 3 as follow
We took the initiative to establish a combined system of innovative temporal and spatial approaches to analyze forestry output efficiency in multiple dimensions, which we believe is applicable to forestry output efficiency studies all over the world, on the condition that there is sufficient data for a sequent period of time in a certain region. This research pattern could also be applied to the output efficiency studies in other industries with typical temporal and spatial characteristics.
Point 6: The language of this paper is relatively correct, however some descriptions would benefit from being more concise. I think it is worth using the help of a native speaker.
Response 6: The language has been polished and some grammars have been corrected.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
