Awareness, Identity, and Place Attachment Among Young People Living in a Calabrian Reclamation Landscape

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

While the topic is of potential interest, the article requires significant revisions before being suitable for publication. The main issues concern the lack of clarity in research objectives, theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and presentation of results. The study would benefit from a substantial restructuring to explicitly define its research questions, clarify its theoretical contributions, and improve its methodological transparency. Therefore, I recommend rejecting the manuscript in its current form.
I would ask the authors to address the following points:

The title, "Awareness, Identity, and Place Attachment in Young People of a Calabrian Reclamation Landscape," does not fully align with the primary focus of the article. While the study presents survey results on students' perceptions of the landscape, the concept of "reclamation"—which appears central to the title—is not sufficiently developed as a thematic core throughout the text. A clearer title should better reflect the study's main objectives and findings.

The introduction fails to explicitly articulate the research questions or objectives in a structured manner. While the study appears to investigate the perception of the reclaimed landscape among young students, the rationale, specific hypotheses, and the problem the research aims to address remain unclear. The introduction should clearly state the primary research questions and objectives to guide the reader.

The article does not adequately define its theoretical framework or disciplinary positioning. While it references landscape studies, place attachment, and European policy documents, it lacks a coherent synthesis of these perspectives. There is no explicit discussion of how the study contributes to existing research in geography, anthropology, environmental psychology, or cultural studies, making it difficult to assess the study's theoretical contribution.

While the authors mention the use of Google Forms for an online survey, it does not specify how the questions were designed, whether they were validated, or how reliability was ensured. Additionally, there is no explanation of the rationale behind selecting middle and high school students as the target population. The study would benefit from a more rigorous methodological section, possibly including a justification of sample selection and question formulation. Moreover, the authors should add the complete questionnaire or an in-depth description of its structure in an appendix. This omission prevents a full assessment of the validity of the questions posed to students. 

The figures presented in the results section are not sufficiently clear. The word clouds and semantic analysis visualizations require better labeling and descriptions to enhance their interpretability. Additionally, a more structured discussion should explain what each figure contributes to answering the research questions. Moreover, Fig. 1, the map of Italy included in the study should be repositioned to the "Materials and Methods" section and explicitly referenced when discussing the study area. The map should also be enhanced to better highlight the research location in a way that is immediately clear to the reader.

Finally, the article does not sufficiently articulate the broader theoretical or practical implications of the case study. While it discusses students' perceptions, how these findings contribute to larger discussions on landscape identity, environmental education, or policy interventions remains unclear. A stronger connection to theory and a more explicit discussion of the study's relevance are necessary.

 

Author Response

The authors thank reviewer. 

The authors have made a significant revision of all parts of the article, as recommended by Reviewer 1.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript examines the transformation of the Italian rural landscape through land reclamation, focusing on the Piana di Sibari in Calabria. A survey of 149 middle school and 177 high school students assessed their awareness, emotional connection, and perception of the reclaimed landscape’s cultural and environmental heritage. The findings highlight the role of the landscape in shaping identity and belonging from various perspectives.

You will bellow find some line-by-line suggestions for improving the manuscript.

• I suggest adding Italy to the keywords.
• 27: Which relevant transformations do you have in mind? Provide citations when listing them – or rephrase.
• 29: Which peninsula? Italian or Calabrian?
• 32: Paradigmatic? Why and how? Is this word the right choice?
• 36: name the disciplines and you need to provide more sources since it is plural – not just one (i.e. 6).
• 41: Which studies suggest that? The recommendation of supporting your claims with literature go throughout the paper. Please, revise it to bring more credibility to your text.
• 42-44: the sentence is unclear. Which is a complex mosaic. Make the wording explicit.
• 44: which elements? The whole paragraph needs to be revised.
• 54: Perhaps fluidity instead of flux. Other authors have already written about that, providing some references or background.
• 56-63: why is this relevant and how does it bridge the gap to your study? What is the aim of the study and what are its goals?
• 66: all worldwide locations are historically significant. What is this one important about? The same goes for ‘rich history’, which is a highly subjective notion. Rephrase this and link it to the next paragraph.
• 66-86: When listing data, provide sources.
• Figure 1 needs to be moved to its reference.
• Add relevant information on soil types and climate since you are mentioning agriculture.
• 2 needs to be clearly divided into materials and methods (e.g. respondents …).
• Methods need further elaboration: what were the methodological steps, how did you create the questionnaire … That is totally unclear.
• Draw a methodological diagram of how you conducted your research.
• 131: this is unclear again. Write a clear introductory part to the results sections. We don’t know what you were asking them and what you are talking about here.
• 136-148: present these results graphically.
• The whole results chapter needs to be arranged according to the (missing) aims and (missing) methodological steps.
• Why are figures a separate chapter? Integrate them to the text if they are relevant.
• Figure 3 needs axes. Provide analysis
• The discussion would benefit from more analysis and support from recent scholarship and foreign literature. Add references to relevant studies besides the EU landscape convention. When the results are clear, we can move on to the discussion in depth (e.g. it is unclear, which educational programmes you are referring to in 337, etc.).
• What are the limitations of the study? What is a step forward?

Two-thirds of the sources are outdated – 25 of all sources are more than 5 years old. It should be vice versa. Make your study relevant and up-to-date.

When the paper is revised, it is going to bring a lot of attention to both the journal and the authors. That is why, I suggest the option of 'major revisions'.

Author Response

The authors sincerely thank the Reviewer 2 for all  precise suggestions.

 

• Which relevant transformations do you have in mind? Provide citations when listing them – or rephrase.
• Which peninsula? Italian or Calabrian?
• Paradigmatic? Why and how? Is this word the right choice?

Line 30-37 The reclamation of marshy areas has profoundly modified the landscape of numerous regions across the peninsula. Italy, characterized by the widespread presence of marshlands, underwent a gradual reclamation process that began systematically in the 18th century and extended well beyond the mid-20th century [1]. The reclamation of the Piana di Sibari (Plain of Sibari), in the province of Cosenza (Calabria, Italy), is a paradigmatic example of this process, because the current rural landscape, considered one of the most lush and productive in Southern Italy, is the result of a vast transformation effort in which Italian institutions and the local population have participated together

• name the disciplines and you need to provide more sources since it is plural – not just one (i.e. 6).
• Which studies suggest that? The recommendation of supporting your claims with literature go throughout the paper. Please, revise it to bring more credibility to your text.
• the sentence is unclear. Which is a complex mosaic. Make the wording explicit.
• which elements? The whole paragraph needs to be revised.

We rephrase:

Line 40-45 These studies fall within the framework of many disciplines (e.g. ecology, hydrology, history, economy, architecture, and anthropology) capable of decoding both tangible and intangible signs, analyzing territorial transformation processes from both contemporary and historical perspectives [7, 8]. This approach aims to highlight both anthropic and natural frameworks, revealing the complexity and intrinsic meaning of places [9].

 

• Perhaps fluidity instead of flux. Other authors have already written about that, providing some references or background.
• why is this relevant and how does it bridge the gap to your study? What is the aim of the study and what are its goals?
• all worldwide locations are historically significant. What is this one important about? The same goes for ‘rich history’, which is a highly subjective notion. Rephrase this and link it to the next paragraph.
• When listing data, provide sources.

Done and rephrase

 

• Figure 1 needs to be moved to its reference.

Done

 

• Add relevant information on soil types and climate since you are mentioning agriculture.

Done

Line 11-128 The Piana di Sibari is a fertile area located in the North of Calabria (Southern Italy). The plain experiences a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters, as classified by Köppen-Geiger [25]. The area is notable for its considerable temperature variations throughout the year, creating dynamic weather patterns. Average daytime temperatures peak at 29°C in August and drop to around 13°C in February. Moreover, it receives a moderate annual precipitation of 668 mm, with significant seasonal shifts. December, the wettest month, sees an average of 96 mm of rainfall over 12 days, whereas July, the driest month, records just 13 mm across 3 days. These seasonal contrasts shape diverse climatic experiences throughout the year [26]. This plain, nestled between the Pollino Massif to the north and the Sila Plateau to the south, and bordered by the Ionian Sea to the east and the slopes of the Southern Apennines to the west (Figure 1), features a well-developed sequence of late Quaternary marine and coastal terraces shaped by the interplay of sea level fluctuations and tectonic uplift. Along these terraces, alluvial and fluvial sediments, resulting from the confluence of several rivers, including the Crati and Coscile, as well as coastal depositional systems, formed simultaneously [27]. The Piana di Sibari, the largest lowland area in Calabria, spanning 470 km², is an interesting area of study due to its combination of remarkable history, rich biodiversity, and agricultural resources.

 

• 2 needs to be clearly divided into materials and methods (e.g. respondents …).

Done

 

• Methods need further elaboration: what were the methodological steps, how did you create the questionnaire … That is totally unclear.

Done (line 149-172)

2.2. Survey design

The survey was developed based on informal meetings with the principals of middle and high schools in the Piana di Sibari area and was later submitted to and approved by the school governing bodies. From these meetings, a strong interest emerged in assessing students’ perception of and sense of attachment to the landscape. Additionally, it was considered relevant to investigate whether, and to what extent, the school curriculum has influenced, first and foremost, students' understanding and definition of the concept of 'landscape.'

The study employs a qualitative methodology, using a semi-structured questionnaire with both open- and closed-ended questions (Appendix 1), which was administered in classroom via the Google Forms© platform under the supervision of a teacher appointed by the principal, while ensuring the privacy of respondents. The questionnaire consists of four sections. The first section asked each student to define what they generally understand by the term "landscape." The second section explored whether landscape had been a topic of study during their education and, if so, which subject had covered it most extensively. The third section aimed to assess students' perception of and attachment to their local area. To this end, questions were included about their willingness to move elsewhere and their relationship with the place they experience daily—what they appreciate about it and what they do not. The fourth section focused on evaluating students' knowledge of their territory from environmental, cultural, historical, and economic perspectives. Additionally, a question was included to identify the most urgent environmental issues as perceived by students. Foreign students were asked an additional question to determine whether they were born in the area under investigation or how long they have been living there.

 

• this is unclear again. Write a clear introductory part to the results sections. We don’t know what you were asking them and what you are talking about here.

Done (line 238-244)

We designed and developed a survey to evaluate the knowledge and perception of the 'Reclaimed Lands' landscape among students in the Piana di Sibari. The survey aimed to investigate the meaning of the landscape, awareness of the area's cultural and environmental heritage, and the emotional connection of young people interviewed to these places. Regarding the first section of the survey about the mean of "landscape", "A place that evokes emotions"  ......

 

• 136-148: present these results graphically.

Done (Figures 2,3)

 

• The whole results chapter needs to be arranged according to the (missing) aims and (missing) methodological steps.
• Why are figures a separate chapter? Integrate them to the text if they are relevant.

Done

 

• Figure 3 needs axes. Provide analysis

UMAP does not maintain absolute distances or a fixed coordinate system like a traditional Cartesian plot, therefore the resulting axis values can be avoided as they do not have an inherent meaning. In fact, the goal of a UMAP visualization is to reveal patterns, clusters, and relative proximities rather than to interpret exact positions or distances. Furthermore, omitting axis values reduces clutter and keeps attention on the structure of the data.

 

• The discussion would benefit from more analysis and support from recent scholarship and foreign literature. Add references to relevant studies besides the EU landscape convention. When the results are clear, we can move on to the discussion in depth (e.g. it is unclear, which educational programmes you are referring to in 337, etc.).

The discussion, as well as all other parts of the paper, has been significantly revised by the authors. 

 

• Two-thirds of the sources are outdated – 25 of all sources are more than 5 years old. It should be vice versa. Make your study relevant and up-to-date.

References are added and updated

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The reviewed article undoubtedly has strengths and weaknesses. The former include the research carried out on which the empirical part of the study is based.

Its shortcomings, on the other hand, include the lack of formulated objectives of the article and possible research hypotheses, followed by the lack of a solid basis, a theoretical framework, to which the conducted research can be related.  

Author Response

The authors thank reviewer. 

The authors have made a significant revision of all parts of the article, as recommended by Reviewer 3.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall, the authors had reinforced the article quite substantially. However, it is still not clear the disciplinary angle takes and to what discipline and the international debate it addresses. This should be clarified and expressed clearly in the article.

Author Response

The authors appreciate the helpful suggestions provided by Reviewer 1:

• Overall, the authors had reinforced the article quite substantially. However, it is still not clear the disciplinary angle takes and to what discipline and the international debate it addresses. This should be clarified and expressed clearly in the article.

The following sentence has been added:

(line 102-106) In this regard, the present research adopts the perspective of the pedagogy of landscape. It seeks to highlight the contemporary debate on landscape, where the issue of democracy plays a fundamental role [25, 26]. By addressing the complexity of this issue through an insightful analysis, it seeks to enhance considerations of the political dimension of landscapes in educational activities, enriching rather than excluding other more traditional conceptions of landscape. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper was properly revised.

 The majority of the instructions and recommendations were followed. Many answers were provided and the standards were met.

I still believe the paper would benefit greatly from a workflow diagram and a more comprehensive study (questionnaire) design, but, it is ready for publication.

Author Response

The authors are grateful to Reviewer 2 for their valuable suggestions

• The paper was properly revised. The majority of the instructions and recommendations were followed. Many answers were provided and the standards were met. I still believe the paper would benefit greatly from a workflow diagram and a more comprehensive study (questionnaire) design, but, it is ready for publication.

The workflow is added to the text as Figure 2 (line 242-245)