Wetland Ecosystem Service Preservation? Geochemical Changes in Systems with Mangroves and Shrimp Farms in the Northern Ecuadorean Coast

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper investigated the geochemical changes of systems with mangroves and shrimp

farms in the northern ecuadorean coast. The idea is ok, and it also fits for the scope of this journal. Some comments are provided to further improve it.

1. At the end of Introduction, the methods of this study should be declared.

2. The reasons of sites and samples selection should be explained as they significantly affected the results.

3. Conclusions section should be revised to highlight the findings of this study.

4. Some perspectives are also suggested to be added.

Author Response

Thank you for reviewing our manuscript.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study describes variations in mangrove coverage and the extent of shrimp farms in the REMACAM and RVSMERM mangrove reserves during the period 1996-2020, noting an increase in shrimp farms in both reserves. Four sediment cores obtained from mangrove drains and drains transformed into shrimp farm infrastructures were analyzed. The cores were sectioned every 2 cm, and for each stratum, the elemental analysis of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) was recorded; their TOC/TN ratio and the fractionation of stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N were also examined. It was determined that the mangrove drains in REMACAM have 3.8 times more TOC and 2.3 times more TN than drains transformed into shrimp farms in RVSMERM, with lower TOC/TN ratios. The reviewer would like to propose the following comments based on the contents of the manuscript.

1. In 1. Introduction. The aim of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of the behavior of sediments from coastal estuaries if two protected areas with mangroves in the Esmeraldas province. What is the comparative analysis? The objects of comparative analysis need further clarification.

2. In 2.1 Study area. This sector is bathed by waters from the binational Mira Mataje basin, wich receives wastewater from populated áreas as well as extensive monocultures of oil palm (Elaeis sp). Tambillo corresponds to a mangrove arm called El Piñal, wich flows into the extensive Limones Estuary that commects to the sea. Whether there are limitations in the selection of research areas.

3. Whether statistical features need to be supplemented. The actual survey and test data are very limited, which is a typical small sample problem from a statistical point of view. Based on the limited survey data, only incomplete probability information such as parameter edge distribution and correlation coefficient can be obtained, so it is difficult to determine the joint probability distribution.

4. Some relevant work may be added to make a more complete literature review. E.g. Parameter estimation of grouting pressure and surface subsidence on the reliability of shield tunnel excavation under incomplete probability information. Computers and Geotechnics,2024,173, 106530. Characterizing anisotropic spatial variations of uncertain mechanical parameters for clay layer using incomplete probability data[J]. Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics,2024,76, 103623.

5. The conclusion of a research paper typically summarizes the main findings and discusses their implications. It serves to restate the significance of the study and often suggests avenues for future research. The conclusion of this article is too simple, it is suggested to rewrite it

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Thank you for reviewing our manuscript.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Good contribution that will provide relevant information on wetland management in Ecuador, as well as the effects of shrimp production practices. It seems to me that the data obtained and the analyzes provide conclusions consistent with the objectives, so I suggest approval after minor corrections, these corrections include many words not translated into English in the manuscript (those that I detected in the attached document are marked), therefore I suggest to revise the English wording before final acceptance

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Author Response

Thank you for reviewing our manuscript.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors investigated the relation between mangroves ans shrimp farms in some areas of Ecuador, and they found that TOC and TN were significantly impacted in estuaries. The results were impressive. However, there were some errors in this manuscript.

Line 118, covers approximattly 18,561 ha in the REMACAM [70] and 3,882 ha in the RVSMERM [71] . Approximately;  ‘,’was needed in these numbers.

Line 226, REMACAN or REMACAM?

Line 632, wich show the cumulative effects of polulation increase. which, population?

Line 641, by ots authors, what’s the meaning of ‘ots’?

Please use the correct presentation method ‘2864,34 2696,18 2218,05 3196,62  expansión  áreas’.

Many spelling errors were found in the manuscript, please employ an English editor to improve the quality of the manuscript.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Many spelling errors were found in the manuscript, please employ an English editor to improve the quality of the manuscript.

Author Response

Thank you for reviewing our manuscript.

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The revised draft has made a series of changes. But the reviewers still have some questions

1. In 1. this study is . differ in shrimp farms extensión and mangrove forest coverage, This will be achieved through the integration of Carbon and Nitrogen content in sediment cores. What is the comparative analysis? The advantages of this article need to be further explained.

2. Some relevant work may be added to make a more complete literature review. E.g. Parameter estimation of grouting pressure and surface subsidence on the reliability of shield tunnel excavation under incomplete probability information. Computers and Geotechnics,2024,173, 106530. Characterizing anisotropic spatial variations of uncertain mechanical parameters for clay layer using incomplete probability data. Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics,2024,76, 103623.

3. The first task of the conclusion is to remind the reader again of your research question. ‌ Although the research questions are discussed in depth in the main text, ‌ the conclusion focuses on returning the reader's mind from the details of the research to the big picture.. The conclusion of this article is too simple, it is suggested to rewrite it

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

 The revised draft has made a series of changes. But the reviewers still have some questions

1. In 1. this study is . differ in shrimp farms extensión and mangrove forest coverage, This will be achieved through the integration of Carbon and Nitrogen content in sediment cores. What is the comparative analysis? The advantages of this article need to be further explained.

R1. Although differences were found in carbon content and its isotopic signature, the nitrogen content (its isotopic signature was unclear) that would be associated with different hydrological conditions and proportions of mangroves and shrimp farms. The elemental analysis of sediments based on carbon and nitrogen also shows the additive effect of other activities occurring in the region. These activities are mentioned, with supporting citations added in the introduction, and are later discussed in the discussion section.

The study area's map has been improved, illustrating the comparison between a theoretically less affected, larger mangrove area and a much more impacted area. It is important to note that both areas are mangrove reserves and, therefore, should have better management.

2. Some relevant work may be added to make a more complete literature review. E.g. Parameter estimation of grouting pressure and surface subsidence on the reliability of shield tunnel excavation under incomplete probability information. Computers and Geotechnics,2024,173, 106530. Characterizing anisotropic spatial variations of uncertain mechanical parameters for clay layer using incomplete probability data. Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics,2024,76, 103623.

R2. The suggested publications address more engineering-focused topics, and I am unable to see how they relate to this work which has an ecological focus

 

3. The first task of the conclusion is to remind the reader again of your research question. Although the research questions are discussed in depth in the main text, the conclusion focuses on returning the reader's mind from the details of the research to the big picture.. The conclusion of this article is too simple, it is suggested to rewrite it

R3 A new conclusion has been written, which includes additional key elements from the work conducted and also discusses the limitations of this type of study as an initial approach to the territory.

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The revisions are satisfactory to this reviewer. The manuscript is recommended for publication after spell check and equation editing.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.