Characteristics of Land-Use Carbon Emissions and Carbon Balance Zoning in the Economic Belt on the Northern Slope of Tianshan
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1) Abbreviations should be on the first occurrence (For instance: LULUCF).
2) Theoretical background of the paper was weak and scientific suggestions or determinations should be visualized by using graphs in the introduction section. The following papers may give ideas on improving theoretical discussions and visualizing suggestions or determinations:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121138
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02729-1
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23284-2
3) Authors should use either abbreviations or explicit forms of words. Both should not be used together (For instance CE, and carbon emissions).
4) Primary contribution of the paper is not clear. It should be stated in clear words in the introduction section.
5) Policy recommendations of the paper were weak. Therefore, obtained findings should be strengthened with concrete policy proposals.
1) Minor editing of English language required
Author Response
Cover letter
Dear reviewer：
Manuscript ID: sustainability-2449792
Type of manuscript: Article
Title: characteristics of land use carbon emissions and carbon balance zoning in the economic belt on the northern slope of Tianshan
Thank you very much for your consideration, and valuable comments and opinions on our manuscript. We have carefully considered the suggestion of Reviewer and modified our article based on the important suggestions. Important changes were highlighted with blue color in the revised version of the article. Accordingly, point by point response to the reviewers are as follows.
Point 1：
Abbreviations should be on the first occurrence (For instance: LULUCF).
Response 1：
Thanks for your kind reminding. We have carefully checked the abbreviations in the manuscript, and the full name / title for each abbreviation for the first occurrence in the revised article. Such as:
In line 47: land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF);
In line 113: the remote sensing (RS);
In line 124: gross domestic product (GDP).
Point 2：
Theoretical background of the paper was weak and scientific suggestions or determinations should be visualized by using graphs in the introduction section. The following papers may give ideas on improving theoretical discussions and visualizing suggestions or determinations:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121138
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02729-1
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23284-2
Response 2：
We appreciate for your valuable comment. We have conducted intensive readings on suggested references, and improved the theoretical background of our paper using corresponding figures (figure 1, line 60-61) and a literature summary table (table 1, line 115-116). Moreover, we have conducted theoretical discussions in the introduction section (line 120-137). In this part, we analyzed the commonness and differences of previous related studies. Detailed contents are as follows:
Figure 1. Global energy-related CO2 emissions (A), and change in CO2 emissions (B) by fuel, 1990-2021. Source: IEA 2021
Table 1. Literature summary
|
Author |
Countries |
Period |
Methods/Model |
Results |
|
[34] |
China |
2005-2017 |
Environmentally extended input-output model |
Higher CEs; Overall efficiency of CE has improved; The reduction potential: embodied CEs< direct CEs. |
|
[35] |
Sichuan, China |
2000-2018 |
Corrected carbon emission coefficient method |
Higher CEs; CEs were correlated with GDP. |
|
[36] |
India |
2006-2021 |
Threshold regression model |
Foreign trade investment greatly affected the industrial CEs both positively and negatively. |
|
[37] |
China |
2000-2017 |
Dynamic panel models Green Solow model |
Total technological progress is helpful to reducing carbon emissions; Production technology remarkably drives carbon emissions. |
|
[38] |
Tibetan plateau, China |
2012-2017 |
Net primary productivity (NPP) remote estimation model Structural decomposition analysis model |
Great potential for carbon neutrality was observed for Tibet; Energy consumption was the major contributor for CEs growth. |
|
[39] |
China |
2003-2019 |
Time-varying DID model Mediating model |
National Industrial Relocation Demonstration Zones effectively reduced CEs, and its impacts are various. |
|
[40] |
China |
2000-2019 |
Carbon emission model The decoupling analysis |
Construction land is the primary and important contributor to CEs; The decoupling between land use and CEs is dynamic. CEs from land use is heterogeneous. |
|
[41] |
Global |
2000-2019 |
Super-EBM model Tobit model |
A great difference in CEs efficiency among 136 different countries; The CEs efficiency of most countries is not ideal; The CEs efficiency supports the EKC hypothesis; urbanization level; Economy, and energy improved the CEs efficiency. |
|
[42] |
China |
2000-2020 |
Modified gravity model Social network analysis method |
The comprehensive development quality level of cities on NST increased; The economic linkages existed obvious central orientation and geographical proximity. |
|
[43] |
China |
2000-2020 |
Principal component analysis Unary linear regression Spatial autocorrelation analysis |
The environmental quality graded as poor for more than 40% of the region; the overall trend was toward increasing the areas with good and excellent grades; A spatial relationship between environmental quality and human disturbances is positive. |
With the construction and development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, NST considered as an economic core area in China, and its ecological and environmental issue has received significant attentions in academic fields. The urban agglomeration of NST is the area with the highest level of urbanization, the densest population with the abundant gross domestic product (GDP), and the most concentrated industries in Xinjiang. Moreover, in the future, this area will become a strategic core region of economic development. In addition, various country level strategies and global terms suggested the importance of considerations on environmental protection for NST during the sustainable development process. As such, promoting the eco-friendly development of the region is of great significance [46]. As a region that has been undergoing rapid speed on urbanization, economic development, and industrialization, an urban agglomeration (UA) plays a core function in regional and even affect national CEs. Accordingly, UA also a key contributor for the reduction of reginal CEs. For sustainable development and high-quality growth, of UAs in China, it is imperative to conduct researches on CEs [47]. Several studies have focused on CEs investigations in various typical areas in the country [37, 41], however, studies on CEs from newly developing UAs are rare. Comprehensive analysis on characteristics of land use CEs for this area is of significance, and remains to be conducted.
Point 3：
Authors should use either abbreviations or explicit forms of words. Both should not be used together (For instance CE, and carbon emissions).
Response 3：
Thank you for pointing this out. We have carefully checked the abbreviations and explicit forms in the manuscript, and only one of the abbreviations or explicit forms of words were selected and kept closely, while the other form was deleted.
Point 4：
Primary contribution of the paper is not clear. It should be stated in clear words in the introduction section.
Response 4：
Thanks for this helpful comment. According to your suggestion, we have stated the primary contributions of this work in the introduction part (line 138-144) as follows:
To better understand the current states and characteristics of CEs and land use changing dynamics, in this study, land-use changing characteristics and current status of carbon balance, including carbon emissions, carbon absorptions, and carbon intensity, in the NST were preliminarily investigated (Fig. 2). Furthermore, CEs reduction improving suggestions on policies had been tentatively proposed. Findings of this study could provide scientific base for comprehensive understanding of future urbanization of NST, and could also be considered as reference for different land use stakeholders.
Figure 2. The research framework and path diagram
Point 5：
Policy recommendations of the paper were weak. Therefore, obtained findings should be strengthened with concrete policy proposals.
Response 5：
We really appreciate for your valuable suggestion. We have inserted another small section in section 4 (4.5. Contributions of research findings and improving management, line 667-691), and also improved related discussions in section 6 (line 740-745 ) as follows:
4.5. Contributions of research findings and improving management
This study had conducted the analysis on land use characteristics, and carbon emissions of NST using Landsat remote sensing image and socio-economic statistical data. Moreover, the carbon balance and spatial autocorrelation between carbon emissions and carbon intensities were also investigated with Moran`s I model. Current states of carbon emissions and carbon intensity could be investigated to some extent with applied calculation and estimation methods, and the impact of CEs to neighboring cities and adjacent areas were also analyzed. Land use patterns of NST had greatly affected the regional development and ecological environment, and the rapid urbanization and industriali-zation could lead to an unstable carbon balance. Thus, improving polices should fully take the urban landscape patterns under considerations, and the carbon sink land use types should be increased while the land use types with CEs should be reduced. In addition, energy consumptions in urban land was also a main source for CEs, and the ecological constructions while developing the economic constructions should be considered for the regional development planning.
- Conclusions
Furthermore, the applied method and model in this study could be a promising protocol to better understand the carbon emissions analysis of the areas, which their CEs were mainly impacted by land use changes, energy consumptions and economic growth, such as the urban agglomeration of Pearl River Delta, Middle Reaches of Yangtze River, and Chengdu-Chongqing (CC) urban agglomerations.
Point 6：
Minor editing of English language required
Response 6：
We have checked the grammar and other aspects of English language, and corrected the improper descriptions or other language related problems for whole parts of the paper.
Thank you very much for your helpful comments and opinions on our paper, which were very helpful in improving our manuscript. We have revised the manuscript based on your suggestions. We sincerely hope that this manuscript will eventually be accepted and published in Sustainability.
If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact me at the address below.
Thank you and best regards.
Yours sincerely,
Gulmira abbas, E-mail: gulmira091@126.com
Corresponding author: Alimujiang·Kasimu
E-mail: alimkasim@xjnu.edu.cn
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
It is an interesting work on a relevant topic. The paper's argument was built on an appropriate base of theory and concepts, the authors demonstrated an adequate understanding of the relevant literature in the field and cited an appropriate range of literature sources, and the methods employed were appropriate. The authors show in detail the steps and procedures used to reach the results. However, I would like to draw attention to some points below:
1. In Section Introduction, the innovation and contribution of the work need to be better presented.
2. Figure 1, which summarizes "The research framework and path diagram" is presented at the beginning of Section 2 "Materials and Methods", without a brief presentation of what it wants to synthesize. Readers will need to read all of Section 2 before they can properly understand its contents.
3. Line 614 - "Previous studies" - please reference any of the works.
4. The description of how the authors expect this work to impact policymakers, and other stakeholders might improve the discussion significantly. Note that the objective described at the end of Figure 1 is "To Provide Scientific Basis, References and Useful Insights Into Related Policies, Attempts on Carbon Reduction, and Sustainable Development for Cities in NST."
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear reviewer：
I am the first author of Manuscript ID: sustainability-2449792.
Type of manuscript: Article
Title: characteristics of land use carbon emissions and carbon balance zoning in the economic belt on the northern slope of Tianshan
Thank you very much for your comments and opinions on our paper, and we have carefully considered the suggestion and make some changes. Important changes were highlighted with blue color in the revised version of the article. The point by point response to the comments were shown in attached file below.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Introduction: The literature is well connected. However, it's not exactly clear why the specific region is of interest.
Materials and Methods: For socioeconomics statistics, a similar table to Table 1 and Table 2 would be helpful, summarizing the data
Results: Land use in Table 3 needs to be contextualized with comparable data. Right now we don't know if some of the % changes are high or low. Same with Table 4. I know some of this is in the interpretation where a broader discussion is provided, but at least quick one/two sentence summaries will be appreciated.
Conclusions: Some discussion on the applicability of the study in the broader Chinese context/other similar region will be appreciated.
Author Response
Dear reviewer：
I am the first author of Manuscript ID: sustainability-2449792
Type of manuscript: Article
Title: characteristics of land use carbon emissions and carbon balance zoning in the economic belt on the northern slope of Tianshan
Thank you very much for your kind attention and comments on our paper, and we have carefully considered the suggestion and modified the manuscript. Important changes were highlighted with blue color in the revised version of the article. The point by point response to the comments were provided in word file below.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors have adressed most of suggested revisions. However, authors did not pay sufficient attention on incorporating suggested papers for improving theoretical discussion and background of the study. Therefore, I recommend one more round revision.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
First of all, we appreciate for your valuable comments. We have modified our manuscript in accordance with your suggestions, and detailed point by point response was provided as a cover letter.
If there is anything we can do, please contact us without hesitation.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors,
Thank you for addressing my comments. The manuscript is significantly improved.
With kind regards,
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
First of all, we appreciate for your valuable comments. We have modified our manuscript in accordance with your suggestions, and detailed point by point response was provided as a cover letter.
If there is anything we can do, please contact us without hesitation.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
