Analysis of Potential Supply of Ecosystem Services in Forest Remnants through Neural Networks
, Diego de Melo Conti 2, Raissa Caroline Gomes 1, Fabricio Camillo Sperandio 2 and Admilson Irio Ribeiro 4Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper under review delves into an important aspect of ecosystem service assessment, specifically focusing on the supply of regulating ecosystem services provided by forest remnants in the municipality of Campinas/SP, Brazil. The central theme revolves around the spatial configuration factors, emphasizing the significance of considering not only the supply of ecosystem services but also the demand, cultural values, and societal interests associated with these services in a given location.
One of the notable strengths of this study lies in its comprehensive approach to assessing the potential provision of regulating ecosystem services. By applying an artificial neural network to analyze and weigh various geospatial indicators gathered from a substantial number of forest remnants across multiple watersheds, the research offers valuable insights into the regulating potential of these ecosystems. The classification of remnants into categories ranging from "medium" to "very high" regulating potential underscores the importance of these natural areas in providing essential services such as flood regulation, water purification, and climate regulation.
The utilization of artificial intelligence fundamentals, particularly artificial neural networks, is a commendable methodological choice. It allows for the integration and analysis of diverse indicators, the examination of spatial patterns, and the prediction of outcomes. This approach not only enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the assessment but also sets a precedent for future research in ecosystem service evaluation and environmental planning.
Furthermore, the implications of this study extend beyond the academic realm. The results have practical applications in guiding environmental planning and management within urban spaces, which is increasingly important as cities strive to balance development with the preservation of critical ecosystem services. The findings can inform decision-makers and urban planners about the significance of maintaining and potentially restoring forest remnants to optimize the provision of regulating ecosystem services.
However, to strengthen the paper further, it could benefit from a more extensive discussion of the cultural and societal aspects that influence the demand for these services in the specific context of Campinas/SP. Understanding how these factors interact with the supply of ecosystem services is crucial for holistic decision-making and sustainable urban development.
In terms of future directions, the study opens doors for additional research in other geographical contexts and ecosystems. Comparative studies could provide valuable insights into regional variations in ecosystem service provision and demand. Additionally, investigating the economic and social values associated with these services could add depth to the analysis, further aiding in urban planning and policy formulation.
In conclusion, this paper presents a valuable contribution to the field of ecosystem service assessment, particularly in the context of urban environments. Its holistic approach to considering both supply and demand factors, coupled with the use of artificial neural networks, demonstrates the potential for advanced spatial analysis in environmental planning. The practical applications of the research make it relevant and impactful, with potential implications for urban sustainability and resilience.
Author Response
The authors are very grateful for all the comments and suggestions made to our paper, which really contributed to the improvement of the final quality of the article. All the suggestions were considered, and the changes made in the text are underlined in yellow.
The paper under review delves into an important aspect of ecosystem service assessment, specifically focusing on the supply of regulating ecosystem services provided by forest remnants in the municipality of Campinas/SP, Brazil. The central theme revolves around the spatial configuration factors, emphasizing the significance of considering not only the supply of ecosystem services but also the demand, cultural values, and societal interests associated with these services in a given location.
One of the notable strengths of this study lies in its comprehensive approach to assessing the potential provision of regulating ecosystem services. By applying an artificial neural network to analyze and weigh various geospatial indicators gathered from a substantial number of forest remnants across multiple watersheds, the research offers valuable insights into the regulating potential of these ecosystems. The classification of remnants into categories ranging from "medium" to "very high" regulating potential underscores the importance of these natural areas in providing essential services such as flood regulation, water purification, and climate regulation.
The utilization of artificial intelligence fundamentals, particularly artificial neural networks, is a commendable methodological choice. It allows for the integration and analysis of diverse indicators, the examination of spatial patterns, and the prediction of outcomes. This approach not only enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the assessment but also sets a precedent for future research in ecosystem service evaluation and environmental planning.
Furthermore, the implications of this study extend beyond the academic realm. The results have practical applications in guiding environmental planning and management within urban spaces, which is increasingly important as cities strive to balance development with the preservation of critical ecosystem services. The findings can inform decision-makers and urban planners about the significance of maintaining and potentially restoring forest remnants to optimize the provision of regulating ecosystem services.
However, to strengthen the paper further, it could benefit from a more extensive discussion of the cultural and societal aspects that influence the demand for these services in the specific context of Campinas/SP. Understanding how these factors interact with the supply of ecosystem services is crucial for holistic decision-making and sustainable urban development.
R: Please see the text included in the topic 3.1.
In terms of future directions, the study opens doors for additional research in other geographical contexts and ecosystems. Comparative studies could provide valuable insights into regional variations in ecosystem service provision and demand. Additionally, investigating the economic and social values associated with these services could add depth to the analysis, further aiding in urban planning and policy formulation.
R: Based on your suggestion, some text was included in the conclusion. Please, see the last paragraph.
In conclusion, this paper presents a valuable contribution to the field of ecosystem service assessment, particularly in the context of urban environments. Its holistic approach to considering both supply and demand factors, coupled with the use of artificial neural networks, demonstrates the potential for advanced spatial analysis in environmental planning. The practical applications of the research make it relevant and impactful, with potential implications for urban sustainability and resilience.
R: Thank you again for your constructive comments.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript analyzed potential supply of ecosystem services using a set of metrics such as AREA, CAI, CI, SI, NND, PWC, WP, PRN, LUOS, EROD, SLP, DSLF, PCU, and PWP through neural networks in the municipality of Campinal/SP, Brazil. The introduction and Theoretical background provided sufficient background and the methods of ANN were adequately described. However, the novelty on scientific aims and methods of this study could not be understood except for the study site and ANN. Therefore, the authors should clearly state them compared with all the cited references relevant to the research.
Table 1: Add "Total".
Author Response
The authors are very grateful for all the comments and suggestions made to our paper, which really contributed to the improvement of the final quality of the article. All the suggestions were considered, and the changes made in the text are underlined in yellow.
The manuscript analyzed potential supply of ecosystem services using a set of metrics such as AREA, CAI, CI, SI, NND, PWC, WP, PRN, LUOS, EROD, SLP, DSLF, PCU, and PWP through neural networks in the municipality of Campinal/SP, Brazil. The introduction and Theoretical background provided sufficient background and the methods of ANN were adequately described. However, the novelty on scientific aims and methods of this study could not be understood except for the study site and ANN. Therefore, the authors should clearly state them compared with all the cited references relevant to the research.
R: The authors made a great effort in order to discuss the result based on the cited reference. Please see the text included in the discussion.
Table 1: Add "Total".
R: Total was included in the text.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The objective of this study ‘aimed to confirm the possibility of evaluating the potential of provision of regulating ecosystem services by forest remnants in an area in Brasil, from the analysis and weighting of geospatial indictors, taking the premises of supply and demand into account.” (lines 89-92). In general the manuscript is well written, though in places it is hard to understand. For example, the abstract uses “the present study aims to assess the provision potential of regulating ecosystem services” (line 25-26) which makes more sense than “to confirm the possibility of evaluating the potential of provision…”. Please rewrite lines 89-90. Using the same text in the abstract would make this understandable. Lines 55-57 are also difficult to understand. The word ‘potentiation’ is not a common term. Perhaps saying ‘estimating the potential of these services…” would make more sense, but it is hard to know what is meant.
Typically, the uncertainty of the results is discussed in this type of study. As written, it reads as if the results are without error or are known with certainly. Lines 290-291L “the following correlations… were considered evident..” indicates that the important correlations were assumed to be true. What if these assertions are not true? It is also evident that there is likely to be uncertainly in the assumptions. Please add a couple of sentences or paragraph to speculate how likely the results are likely to not be medium to very high in potential for regulating services.
It would be useful in Figure 1 to outline where the Campinas watersheds are within outline of the map in the bottom left. Without the outline, it is difficult to tell how much of that area is part of the study.
Please address the above issues. Thank you.
Generally fine, but see the sentences discussed in above comments.
Author Response
The authors are very grateful for all the comments and suggestions made to our paper, which really contributed to the improvement of the final quality of the article. All the suggestions were considered, and the changes made in the text are underlined in yellow.
The objective of this study ‘aimed to confirm the possibility of evaluating the potential of provision of regulating ecosystem services by forest remnants in an area in Brasil, from the analysis and weighting of geospatial indictors, taking the premises of supply and demand into account.” (lines 89-92). In general the manuscript is well written, though in places it is hard to understand. For example, the abstract uses “the present study aims to assess the provision potential of regulating ecosystem services” (line 25-26) which makes more sense than “to confirm the possibility of evaluating the potential of provision…”. Please rewrite lines 89-90. Using the same text in the abstract would make this understandable. Lines 55-57 are also difficult to understand. The word ‘potentiation’ is not a common term. Perhaps saying ‘estimating the potential of these services…” would make more sense, but it is hard to know what is meant.
- The text was revised accordingly.
Typically, the uncertainty of the results is discussed in this type of study. As written, it reads as if the results are without error or are known with certainly. Lines 290-291L “the following correlations… were considered evident..” indicates that the important correlations were assumed to be true. What if these assertions are not true? It is also evident that there is likely to be uncertainly in the assumptions. Please add a couple of sentences or paragraph to speculate how likely the results are likely to not be medium to very high in potential for regulating services.
R: Please, see the text included in the discussion of results.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Paper can be accepted now
