Review Reports - Sustainable Evolution of the Geographic System in the Regional Park “Carrascoy y El Valle” in the Region of Murcia (Southeast Spain)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report (New Reviewer)

- 1- It seems that this article has some structural problems, for example, in some parts, the contents are scattered and incoherent. Some of the contents of the introduction are related to the materials and methods section and should be transferred to that section. It is highlighted in the article. Therefore, it is the better the writers predict two parts in the materials and methods section. 1-studied area and 2- Research method.

- 2-The paragraph (line 189-193) is not in harmony with the content before and after it. It is better to transfer in another place. It seems that the sequence of the paragraph is lines 226 to 229.

- 3- The legend of the map in figure1, is not clear and cannot be read.

- 4- Yellow gride numbers in table 2 and blue gride numbers in table 3, are very close and the same. You have written the yellow grides are changes between 1928 and 2019. What do you mean? The distance between these two periods is about 90 years. What year or period do these sizes belong to?

- 5- In table 6. Does the soil of subplot has been examined? May be the lower cover mulch in the sunny side due to the condition of the soil.

- 6- In line 549 and 559 and some another part you mentioned the reduce desertification do to restoration, but these is no any criteria and indicators for reduce desertification, while this issue has been mentioned in several cases in this article.

- 7-Pleas see the other Highlight cases in the article.

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report (New Reviewer)

The analyzed case is a good example of substantial modification of the geographic environment under climate change conditions and proposes analysis methods that can also be used in other more or less vulnerable areas.

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report (New Reviewer)

Attached

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 5 Report (New Reviewer)

Review: sustainability-2359503

Sustainable Evolution of the Geographic System in the Regional 2 Park “Carrascoy y El Valle” in the Region of Murcia (Southeast 3 Spain)

Comment and suggesstions:

The framework for thinking about this study is quite good, which analyzes changes in vegetation cover (forest/bush/herbs/mulch) between 1928 and 2019 on a spatial basis (increasing or reducing vegetation cover), considering biophysical environmental factors (shady/sunny areas), disturbance due to forest fires and their impact in the form of hydrographic distribution (river or rainfall) and historical characteristics of the study area.

However, several things need clarification, namely:

1. Spatial analysis to determine the effects of shady/sunny areas, forest fires, and their impacts not presented in this article. To be more consistent and easily understood by readers, all the factors studied are shown consistently. For example, Table 4 needs to be presented like Table 1-3. Hydraulic distribution (Figure 10) and the occurrence of forest fires (Figure 11) also need to be given, like Table 1-3.

2. The results of the spatial operations (spatial analysis) with GIS used in this research need to be described to illustrate how to synthesize the role of shady/sunny areas and forest fire locations on the success of reforestation. If using spatial analysis, the dominance of shady and sunny can be calculated using an analysis of aspect direction, geographical position, and sun angle.

3. Hydrological distribution should be presented in this study, whether used as a determinant of success (rainfall) or an impact of successful reforestation (river water discharge).

4. This study was conducted at two sites (Figure 6: Puerto de la Cadena-Castillo del Puerto and Figure 7: Olivar del Conde y El Valle Perdido). Why is the analysis using the grid only carried out for the Olivar del Conde y El Valle Perdido location?

5. The main objective of this study is to examine the evolution of the geographical system of the Regional Park “Carrascoy y El Valle” between the beginning of the 20th century and the present day”. This study needs to define the objective in more “Specific and measurable manner.” Is the objective to find out the significant factors that led to the success of the reforestation (whether the biophysical or their combination with other factors, for example, social factors or human resources? What is the novelty of this study?

6. Line 285 in the article says, “. PNOA satellite images of 2019..". It is necessary to explain what spatial resolution is used in this study.

7. In Figure 8, it is necessary to explain the grid size and academic or practical arguments for each. (See line 291 regarding the 77 grids created).

8. In the discussion section (lines 425-443), the author mentions a lot about deforestation between the 19th and 20th centuries, caused by the influence of steep mountain slopes, lithology, and human activities. But this study has no spatial analysis (slope class, lithology type, and human activity). If there is supporting spatial data, then this study will be better (the analysis is based on empirical data). Currently, this study has yet to be supported by these spatial data.

Moderate editing required

Author Response

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Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)

agree to accept

Author Response

Thank you very much for the positive feedback.

Reviewer 5 Report (New Reviewer)

The conclusion of this study is very long (five paragraphs). My suggestion: the conclusion could be more concise but clear so that the reader understands clearly and quickly what the writer found. In this paper, connecting objectives and research conclusions is challenging.

Author Response

Thank you very much for the valuable suggestion. We have shortened, reorganized, and clarified the Conclusion by better connecting the objectives with the research conclusions.

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper researched the evolution of the Geographic System in the Regional 2 Park “Carrascoy y El Valle” in the Region of Murcia using of remote sensing images in different periods, changes of ecosystems and landscaped have important roles in releasing local soil erosion and improving climatic conditions. However, there are a lot of problems in the paper. The problems are as follows:

1. The research purpose of the paper is not clear, the research method is simple, and the innovation is insufficient.

2. The content of the introduction is too much, and most of it is based on papers on ecosystem, which is not relevant to the content of this paper.

3. There is insufficient data to explain the factors that cause the desertification process of the mountain desert ecosystem, and the analysis is too simple.

4. The percentage unit(%) is missing in all table names in the paper.

5. The large number of trees on the shady side of the mountain is related to the shady characteristics of plants and the large amount of water on the shady side. These are common sense issues. In addition to the vegetation coverage, other ecological indicators and human activities should be selected for comprehensive analysis.

6. The discussion content of the paper is not closely related to the research content and conclusions.

7. The conclusion part of the paper is not systematically summarized, and references should not be cited in the conclusion.

Author Response

COMMENT 1

The research purpose of the paper is not clear, the research method is simple, and the innovation is insufficient.

RESPONSE 1

Thank you for your comment. We think that the purpose of the paper is clearly stated. Indeed, the aim was to establish a first approach about the evolution of the system from total aridity and deforestation to a full tree cover. The actual state of the system is a barrier against the advance of the desert in the south of Europe, specifically in the Iberian Peninsula.

Furthermore, the research method is agile and easy-to-apply that, by using a net of codified grids, allows to know with precision the territorial and temporal evolution of the reforested system, and to appreciate basic effects in the face of erosion and desertification.

Finally, the innovation and novelty of the research are that it has been carried out on a territory where no work of this type has been done before. In addition, resources have been used (old aerial photographs) that have made it possible to appreciate the evolution of the system. As a consequence of the historical deforestation of the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, the forest systems became a risk for society, erosion, floods, etc. Therefore, it is interesting to know how human action through reforestation may have changed the forest system, reversing the natural risks.

COMMENT 2

The content of the introduction is too much, and most of it is based on papers on ecosystem, which is not relevant to the content of this paper.

RESPONSE 2

Thank you very much for your comment. The length of the Introduction allows a broad contextualization of the work on complex systems such as forest systems in arid zones, which are in a permanent situation of fragile equilibrium because they are located at the limits of the high risk of desertification. In our opinion, the references on ecosystems are relevant since are quite related to geosystems.

COMMENT 3

There is insufficient data to explain the factors that cause the desertification process of the mountain desert ecosystem, and the analysis is too simple.

RESPONSE 3

Thank you for your comment. The processes that have given rise to desertification are out of the aim of this research, rather the evolution of the system after reforestation. The analysis may seem simple, but it makes it easier to have quick and objective information on the evolution of the system, and at the same time it is a first approximation to the situation of the existing geosystems.

COMMENT 4

The percentage unit (%) is missing in all table names in the paper.

RESPONSE 4

For clarity reasons, the percentage has been described in the title of the tables.

COMMENT 5

The large number of trees on the shady side of the mountain is related to the shady characteristics of plants and the large amount of water on the shady side. These are common sense issues. In addition to the vegetation coverage, other ecological indicators and human activities should be selected for comprehensive analysis.

RESPONSE 5

It is true that the shady-sunny orientation, in relation to the relief, has an important influence on plant development, especially in these territories of significant aridity. The ecological indicators will be determined by the relief, so other indicators are not considered. As far as human activities are concerned, they have been restricted to leisure and enjoyment activities, since these territories are largely public property. And those that do not have this status are declared protected natural areas, so human activities are restricted to a large extent.

COMMENT 6

The discussion content of the paper is not closely related to the research content and conclusions.

RESPONSE 6

We think that it is related since it refers to the physical elements of the territory (relief, wild vegetation, hidrogeography, etc.) as natural conditioning factors and those resulting from human action (reforestations) which influence the rest of the elements of the geosystem, as well as other issues addressed in the development of the research are mentioned in the Discussion and in the Conclusion.

COMMENT 7

The conclusion part of the paper is not systematically summarized, and references should not be cited in the conclusion.

RESPONSE 7

The conclusion follows a systematic, though not explicit, organization, beginning with general issues directly related to reforestation, passing through others on which it has an indirect impact, and ending with a proposal for the future on the social benefits of the new system.

The references have been removed from the conclusion, as proposed by the reviewer.

Reviewer 2 Report

-In at least 3 points of the work, comparative allusions are made with cases treated in the northwest of China (Wei et al.) or with the dune systems in the Hexi Corridor (Zhu). However, if the work alludes to the dynamics of change in a Mediterranean area, the examples of China or Amazon area aren’t comparable with the Mediterranean area. Perhaps it would be preferable to include references from other research cases in the Mediterranean area. In addition, the references given about China aren’t to deal with specific results from other studies, but rather to support general statements that could be perfectly applicable to the Mediterranean area.

-According with the historical process that extends from the end of the 19th century, it would be convenient to include, if available, references to the information collected in the reports of the reforestation projects cited in the article. Almost all the analytical considerations are carried out from the perspective of the present and to deal with the dynamics derived from desertification and climate change. However, it would be convenient to include in the analysis the motivations given in the reports of these historical projects: objectives, evaluation of existing problems, reforestation techniques, about the perception of the problems at that moment, about the benefits to be obtained, etc. This would help the knowledge the dynamics and their transformations from then until now.

-The analysis focuses in detail on the case of the “Carrascoy y el Valle” park but includes few references to similar actions carried out in other Mediterranean areas. In section 4 (Discussion) it would be convenient to include some references on the results of reforestation processes in the Mediterranean area. Also, if the case analyzed responds to an isolated action or contrary is possible to put it in the context of other similar actions maybe in Murcia or other regions. In short, it would be convenient to contextualize this action a bit more as a whole and discuss the results obtained with other interventions.

-In the conclusions should be given more relevance to reforestation processes as a means to reduce the effects derived from erosion in the Mediterranean area. Also what these interventions can entail facing the challenge of climate change. This type of intervention should be highlighted, as well as the existing relations between them and the mitigation of the effects associated with climate change. In your article it would be advisable to provide some more reflections on the matter, including references to some other practical experiences that have been implemented.

-Some reflection is missing on how forest fires will increasingly become a risk that threatens the achievement of objectives pursued with reforestation projects. This approach should appear one way or another, especially considering that the species used are often coniferous; therefore, easy to burn.

Author Response

COMMENT 1

In at least 3 points of the work, comparative allusions are made with cases treated in the northwest of China (Wei et al.) or with the dune systems in the Hexi Corridor (Zhu). However, if the work alludes to the dynamics of change in a Mediterranean area, the examples of China or Amazon area aren’t comparable with the Mediterranean area. Perhaps it would be preferable to include references from other research cases in the Mediterranean area. In addition, the references given about China aren’t to deal with specific results from other studies, but rather to support general statements that could be perfectly applicable to the Mediterranean area.

RESPONSE 1

Thank you very much for your suggestion. We have included new references to the Mediterranean area. Although the references to China are not from a Mediterranean area, they are similar to the arid conditions of the study area because of the change in scale.

COMMENT 2

According to the historical process that extends from the end of the 19th century, it would be convenient to include, if available, references to the information collected in the reports of the reforestation projects cited in the article. Almost all the analytical considerations are carried out from the perspective of the present and to deal with the dynamics derived from desertification and climate change. However, it would be convenient to include in the analysis the motivations given in the reports of these historical projects: objectives, evaluation of existing problems, reforestation techniques, about the perception of the problems at that moment, about the benefits to be obtained, etc. This would help the knowledge the dynamics and their transformations from then until now.

RESPONSE 2

Thank you for your comment. Some references have been included that provide information on the past situation of reforestation. The references on the natural risks of deforestation and the effects of the floods with hundreds of deaths put the reader in the context of the historical moment.

COMMENT 3

The analysis focuses in detail on the case of the “Carrascoy y el Valle” park but includes a few references to similar actions carried out in other Mediterranean areas. In section 4 (Discussion) it would be convenient to include some references on the results of reforestation processes in the Mediterranean area. Also, if the case analyzed responds to an isolated action or contrary is possible to put it in the context of other similar actions maybe in Murcia or other regions. In short, it would be convenient to contextualize this action a bit more as a whole and discuss the results obtained with other interventions.

RESPONSE 3

We really appreciate your comment. We have included new references of the results of reforestation in this area: Sierra Espuña, Sierra de Ricote, and Sierra Los Filabres.

COMMENT 4

In the conclusions should be given more relevance to reforestation processes as a means to reduce the effects derived from erosion in the Mediterranean area. Also what these interventions can entail facing the challenge of climate change. This type of intervention should be highlighted, as well as the existing relations between them and the mitigation of the effects associated with climate change. In your article it would be advisable to provide some more reflections on the matter, including references to some other practical experiences that have been implemented.

RESPONSE 4

Thank you very much for your valuable suggestion. We have included some references that highlight the relation between reforestation and climate change.

COMMENT 5

Some reflection is missing on how forest fires will increasingly become a risk that threatens the achievement of objectives pursued with reforestation projects. This approach should appear one way or another, especially considering that the species used are often coniferous; therefore, easy to burn.

RESPONSE 5

Thank you for your comment. We have included a reflection on the effect of forest fires on reforestation projects.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

COMMENT 1

Considering the extensive open-access information on historical aerial photographs and satellite images, a somewhat deeper analysis of the subject is considered necessary. It should be analysed not only the situation of the beginning and end of the period, if not include when the forest sectors analysed are stabilized, if they have regressed in some intermediate decade, whether they are affected by fires, etc. The only comparison of before and after seems to offer incomplete forest evolution and simplistic causes. Therefore, the work should include more images than those of the beginning and end of the period 1928-2019, because there are large unresolved unknowns regarding the evolution of the forest area and the landscape.

RESPONSE 1

Thank you very much for your comment. We decide to include only the images of the beginning and the end of the period because including intermediate dates will increase exponentially the complexity of the study. Furthermore, the system is not stabilized yet and the contrasting effect is quite clear. Nevertheless, we have included the only existing document map that localizes the forest fires in the period between 1983-2006 (Figure 11).

COMMENT 2

The forest area includes two agricultural tree species, obviously managed by man, without explaining how these tree crops have evolved.

RESPONSE 2

As the images show, at present, the crops of the forest area have almost disappeared.

COMMENT 3

Figure 1 shows legends that cannot be read. In addition, (a and b) must be differentiated and the different percentages of the Region of Murcia or study area explained in the text.

RESPONSE 3

Since these are images belonging to the Spanish Ministry of Environment, we have consulted the Ministry in order to get a better-quality image to be included in the final version of the article. We have included the panel letters (a and b). We think that including percentages is not relevant because this is a mere approximation to the situation of aridity and desertification in comparison with other territories, making the issue clear in an intuitive and agile way.

COMMENT 4

Introduction. I think it should not be so focused on the study methods of geography, since the territory is analysed by different professionals, so it seems biased towards that science. Especially when going back to Aristotle who attended multiple disciplines of knowledge. I believe that it should focus more on the issue and evolution of aridity and desertification in different regions of the world, Europe, and the country of the study area. It would also be necessary to include in the introduction the anthropic actions that increased the areas of olive and almond groves.

RESPONSE 4

Thank you very much for the comment. We have added information on the evolution of aridity and the anthropic actions related to important crops in the area of study.

COMMENT 5

Materials and Methods. A further explanation of the study area is required: altitude, slopes, climate, hydrological regime, potential vegetation, land uses, etc. In the chapters on results, discussion, and conclusion it is stated that changes occur in climatic conditions and hydrological systems, which have not been previously explained.

RESPONSE 5

Thank you for your comment. We have included some more details about the study area.

COMMENT 6

Specify how many different dates have been studied between 1928 and the present. It would be preferable to make an explanatory table with the sources and dates used. In addition, the PNOA (National Plan for Aerial Orthophotography; acronym in Spanish) is an orthophoto obtained from a specific satellite image (say which one, SPOT 5, 6/7, Pleiades?).

RESPONSE 6

Thank you very much for your suggestions. The dates are clearly indicated in the figures and the text. In our opinion including additional tables is not explanatory but rather duplicates the information given. The PNOA is a Spanish consortium between the central government and the regional governments and is based on aerial images with a resolution of at least 25 cm.

COMMENT 7

Figure 7. Improve text quality. It looks blurred.

RESPONSE 7

We have tried to improve the quality of the text.

COMMENT 8

Discussion. It would be convenient to compare results on the increase or decrease of forest masses in other regions of the world, Europe, or climatically similar areas. Also, on the advances or setbacks of aridity and/or desertification in other places.

RESPONSE 8

Thank you very much for your valuable comment. We have revised the Discussion according to the suggestions.

COMMENT 9

Conclusions. Changes in climatic and hydrological regimes are argued, but how they were previously not explained. The conclusions are estimates, but the amount of increase or decrease in the areas of vegetation analysed is not provided. Nor is it mentioned whether there have been new reforestation plans after the first decades of the 20th century.

RESPONSE 9

We also appreciate this comment. We have strengthened the Conclusion by avoiding estimations.

Reviewer 4 Report

The MS presents a case study of a successful reforestation in a Mediterranean area of Spain.

The study is purely descriptive, it lacks any research question. It may be of interest to people related to the area and relevant for the management of it, but I can’t see why it would interest a readership not engaged with this specific area.

The authors make a very limited effort to deal with general aspects, especially with respect to the distinction between sunny and shady sites, but they rely on very limited data and cannot propose a comprehensive mechanism producing the observed pattern.

My suggestion to the authors is to engage with the relevant literature and rethink their work in order to focus on open issues that would be relevant for an international readership. This, however, should lead to an entirely new study.

Author Response

COMMENT 1

RESPONSE 1

Thank you for your comment. We consider that this research is of high interest to a broad audience outside the area considering the general problems caused by desertification and aridity. Indeed, the main interest and novelty of this research are to show how in an area of outstanding aridity the forest mass has been formed as a product of anthropic action. Indeed, this area and nearby areas (Sierra Espuña), affected by the same conditions, are used as a reference for reforestation in forestry engineering schools in Spain and other countries.

COMMENT 2

RESPONSE 2

Thank you for your observation. We consider that it has been included enough data to make a first approximation to the evolution of the forest system, considering the spectacular evolution of the tree cover in an area with high aridity. The sunny-shady effect on the vegetation cover has been analyzed with a simple and clear method, and it is complementary to this research. Future work will deepen on this and other related aspects.

COMMENT 3

RESPONSE 3

We appreciate your comment but we consider that the work is clear, focused, and relevant and opens new research perspectives related to forest systems, reforestation, and aridity, which are of utmost interest to the specialized scientific audience on sustainable geography

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

The current version of the manuscript has improved considerably, so i accept it form.