Long-Term Effect of Wood Ash and Wastewater Sludge Fertilization on Tree Growth in Short-Rotation Forest Plantations on Abandoned Agricultural Land: A Case Study

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Introduction：

What are the scientific hypotheses of this study?

Discussion: The discussion needs to be described in more detail. Also, describe the limitations of your study in discussion.

Conclusions: The conclusion is too long, it needs to be summarized, it is not a restatement of the result.

Author Response

Introduction：What are the scientific hypotheses of this study?

Answer: Scientific hypotheses of this study is that wood ash and wastewater sludge fertilization effect on tree growth in short rotation forestry plantations is positive in the first years and will diminish after several years.  

Discussion: The discussion needs to be described in more detail. Also, describe the limitations of your study in discussion.

Answer: Discussion supplemented and study limitation added to the discussion part.  

Conclusions: The conclusion is too long, it needs to be summarized, it is not a restatement of the result.

Answer: Conclusions summarized and shortened. Part that restated results deleted from the conclusions.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Abstract

last sentence should be future recommendation

 

Intro

P2 line 52 & 54, there should be space between full stop & first letter afterwards

In the introduction, in the frame of mitigating carbon footprint, would you add simple paragraph centered about using biomaterials including lignocellulosic wastes as substituent to petroleum materials ? or using medical biocomposites instead of synthetic materials. Use these articles as guidlines, you can refer to them

Influence of electrospinning parameters on biopolymers nanofibers, with emphasis on cellulose & chitosan

In Vitro Electrochemical Corrosion Assessment of Magnesium Nanocomposites Reinforced with Samarium (III) Oxide and Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles

 

Methods & Experiment

 

Would you emphasize more on how did you guarantee the uniformity of sludge used throughout 11 years ?

 

Results

for fig 5 & fig 6 the figures lacked which plot after 1 year, which one after 4 years , which one after 11 years.  Amend this

 

Discussion

line 352  "an11-year period"  correct this

Conclusion

add bullets to the paragraphs 

Author Response

Abstract: last sentence should be future recommendation

Answer: In the last sentence future recommendation added.

Intro: P2 line 52 & 54, there should be space between full stop & first letter afterwards

Answer: Thank you for noticing, space added.  

In the introduction, in the frame of mitigating carbon footprint, would you add simple paragraph centered about using biomaterials including lignocellulosic wastes as substituent to petroleum materials? or using medical biocomposites instead of synthetic materials. Use these articles as guidlines, you can refer to them

Influence of electrospinning parameters on biopolymers nanofibers, with emphasis on cellulose & chitosan

In Vitro Electrochemical Corrosion Assessment of Magnesium Nanocomposites Reinforced with Samarium (III) Oxide and Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles

Answer: Thank you from suggestion, information about biomaterial usage added in Introduction part.  

 Methods & Experiment:  Would you emphasize more on how did you guarantee the uniformity of sludge used throughout 11 years?

Answer: Wastewater sludge on the soil was scattered using manure spreader as uniformly as possible. After that, the sludge was incorporated in the soils with cultivator. The site is flat, so sludge and soil leaching were no observed in the first winter and spring. Plantation soil was not disturbed after that, so the wastewater sludge should be located in the same place where it was incorporated in the first year. Text “as homogenous as possible” added to Material and Method part 2.2. Study site fertilization.

Results: for fig 5 & fig 6 the figures lacked which plot after 1 year, which one after 4 years, which one after 11 years. Amend this.

Answer: In the figure 5 single tree DBH in 11-year-old plantations of birch, hybrid aspen, hybrid alder, black alder, and grey alder with different fertilizers are represented and all plots are 11 years old. In the figure 6 single tree and single planting spot AGB in 11-year-old plantations of birch, hybrid aspen, hybrid alder, black alder, and grey alder with different fertilizers are represented and all plots are 11 years old. In both graphs data in every fertilizer for every tree species are from plots, that are 11 years old (11 years old plantations).

Discussion: line 352  "an11-year period"  correct this

Answer: Thank you for noticing, mistake is corrected.

Conclusion: add bullets to the paragraphs 

Answer: Thank you for suggestion. After consultation with other article authors, as well exploring other similar articles in the Sustainability journal, if it is acceptable from your side, we will keep the format, where conclusions are in text. However, we shortened the conclusion part, so now it is shorter and more precise.    

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Reviewer’s Comments

The manuscript entitled, “Long-term effect of wood ash and wastewater sludge fertilization on tree growth in short rotation forest plantations on abandoned agriculture land: a case study” would be of significant importance to plant scientists and ecologists. However, before final submission, minor changes need to be incorporated to make it worth reading.

 

Introduction: Rephrase the sentence in line 33-34, as it is bit confusing.

 

Conclusion: Conclusion is too long, make it brief and comprehensive. The last paragraph of conclusion (line 457 to line 474) should be adjusted in the discussion section.

 References: Follow the proper bibliographic format of “Sustainability” journal. Year of publication should be bold in all references.

Author Response

The manuscript entitled, “Long-term effect of wood ash and wastewater sludge fertilization on tree growth in short rotation forest plantations on abandoned agriculture land: a case study” would be of significant importance to plant scientists and ecologists. However, before final submission, minor changes need to be incorporated to make it worth reading.

 Introduction: Rephrase the sentence in line 33-34, as it is bit confusing.

 Answer: Sentence rephrased

Conclusion: Conclusion is too long, make it brief and comprehensive. The last paragraph of conclusion (line 457 to line 474) should be adjusted in the discussion section.

Answer: Thank you for suggestion. Conclusions are shortened and the last paragraph adjusted to the discussion section.

 References: Follow the proper bibliographic format of “Sustainability” journal. Year of publication should be bold in all references.

Answer: Thank you for noticing. Year of publication is bold in all references.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In the article, the authors presented the results of a study on the effects of fertilization on the development of forest plantations of selected species. The effects of fertilization with wood ash and sewage sludge for a period of 11 years were verified. Positive effects on tree growth were confirmed. However, their effects diminished in the long term.

The research has a multi-level significance. On the one hand, they indicate the possibility of developing wasteland. On the other hand, they indicate the use of biomass combustion products. On the third hand, they make it possible to assess the generation of CO2-absorbing woody biomass.

 

The introduction to the subject of the research is comprehensive.

Methodology formulated in a precise way with the research position. Methodo assess soil and temperature and moisture changes.

For the study material, the number of plots and species selected for the study were described in great detail.

Unfortunately, the characterization of the chemical composition of the introduced "fertilizer", i.e. ashes and sludge, was missing. This characterization would have significantly increased the cognitive value of the work.

It is expected that the authors, within the realm of possibility, present a characterization of the composition of the applied soil fertilizer. In the case of obtaining fertilizer from specific sources, information and full details of the supplier should be indicated.

The results were presented in accordance with the editions of the statistical evaluation of research. They are an important contribution to scientific research.

Discussion conducted factually. May need to be adapted to the level of world knowledge with regard to data in semi-native Europe.

 

The results were presented in accordance with the issues of statistical evaluation of research. They represent a significant contribution to scientific research.

Discussion conducted factually. May need to be adapted to the level of world knowledge with reference to data in Northern Europe.

Conclusions reasonable in accordance with the presented research results and related to the discussion of the results.

 

An article at a high scientific level.

Author Response

In the article, the authors presented the results of a study on the effects of fertilization on the development of forest plantations of selected species. The effects of fertilization with wood ash and sewage sludge for a period of 11 years were verified. Positive effects on tree growth were confirmed. However, their effects diminished in the long term.

The research has a multi-level significance. On the one hand, they indicate the possibility of developing wasteland. On the other hand, they indicate the use of biomass combustion products. On the third hand, they make it possible to assess the generation of CO2-absorbing woody biomass.

The introduction to the subject of the research is comprehensive.

Methodology formulated in a precise way with the research position. Metho do assess soil and temperature and moisture changes.

For the study material, the number of plots and species selected for the study were described in great detail.

Unfortunately, the characterization of the chemical composition of the introduced "fertilizer", i.e. ashes and sludge, was missing. This characterization would have significantly increased the cognitive value of the work.

It is expected that the authors, within the realm of possibility, present a characterization of the composition of the applied soil fertilizer. In the case of obtaining fertilizer from specific sources, information and full details of the supplier should be indicated.

The results were presented in accordance with the editions of the statistical evaluation of research. They are an important contribution to scientific research.

Discussion conducted factually. May need to be adapted to the level of world knowledge with regard to data in semi-native Europe.

Conclusions reasonable in accordance with the presented research results and related to the discussion of the results.

An article at a high scientific level.

Comments and answers to questions:

Thank you for reviewing this article.

Unfortunately, only chemical compositions as N_tot, P_tot and K_tot were taken in analyses during the fertilization process. The fertilization was done 10 years ago and at that time more complex fertilizer analyses was not common practice, therefore only basic analyze was done for the fertilizers. Fertilizer suppliers were boiler house, which used 100% wood chips and municipality wastewater plant, where wastewater sludge come from plant and was stored outside for about one year.

In the discussion part Europe and especially studies from Northern Europe were examined because of the similar meteorological conditions, forest plantation establishment and management practices and used tree species, as well used fertilizers, which are quite similar to this particular region, but are different in other parts of the world or even in Southern Europe, where growth conditions are slightly different.