A 422-Year Reconstruction of the Kaiken River Streamflow, Xinjiang, Northwest China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Based on this review, i accept this manuscrit in the current form. Congratulations to the authors.
Reviewer 2 Report
I am satisfied with the changes made by th authors and believe that the manuscript can be accepted in its present form.
This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper presents a tree-ring based reconstruction of runoff of Kaiken River since 1592 AD. The results of the reconstruction fit to those published before for the Urumchi and Manaci rivers. I would like to draw the attention of the authors to a reconstruction of Narin river that also can be used for the comparison with this one ( Solomina, О., Maximova, О., Cook Е. 2014 Picea Schrenkiana ring width and density at the upper and lower tree limits in the Tien Shan mts Kyrgyz republic as a source of paleoclimatic information. Geography, Environment, Sustainability. n. 01 [v. 07] 2014 p. 66-79. Solomina O., Dolgova, E., Maximova, O. 2012. Tree-ring based hydrometeorological reconstructions in Crimea, Caucasus and Tien-Shan. «Nestor-History», M-SPB, 232 pp. (in Russian with extended resume and numerical reconstructions).
The calibration period 1983-2013 is rather short, so I would recommend to compare the results of the reconstruction with PDSI to be sure about the stability of the correlations.
The paper uses traditional methodology and the results are scientifically sound. I am not a native speaker, but I can see that the langauge, although understandable and clear still requires check and corrections.
Author Response
The paper presents a tree-ring based reconstruction of runoff of Kaiken River since 1592 AD. The results of the reconstruction fit to those published before for the Urumchi and Manaci rivers. I would like to draw the attention of the authors to a reconstruction of Narin river that also can be used for the comparison with this one ( Solomina, О., Maximova, О., Cook Е. 2014 Picea Schrenkiana ring width and density at the upper and lower tree limits in the Tien Shan mts Kyrgyz republic as a source of paleoclimatic information. Geography, Environment, Sustainability. n. 01 [v. 07] 2014 p. 66-79. Solomina O., Dolgova, E., Maximova, O. 2012. Tree-ring based hydrometeorological reconstructions in Crimea, Caucasus and Tien-Shan. «Nestor-History», M-SPB, 232 pp. (in Russian with extended resume and numerical reconstructions). Response: Thank you for your suggestions. Yes, there is no doubt that as early as the 20th century, many Russian and Soviet scientists have conducted extensive research in Central Asia, including Shiyatov, Vagmina, Solomena and so on. However, because a lot of articles are published in Russian, our Russian level is not good. Therefore, we rarely quoted related articles, for which we apologize. I have added some references from Russian authors. The reconstruction of Naryn River runoff. Maybe I don't understand Russian. But I am concerned about the runoff signals in these tree-ring data, which I have described and referenced in other articles The calibration period 1983-2013 is rather short, so I would recommend to compare the results of the reconstruction with PDSI to be sure about the stability of the correlations. Response: Yes, I have compared with the drought reconstruction (Chen et al., 2016), and high correlation (r = 0.76) was found between the series. Chen, F., Shang, H., & Yuan, Y. (2016). Dry/wet variations in the eastern Tien Shan (China) since AD 1725 based on Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey) tree rings. Dendrochronologia, 40, 110-116. The paper uses traditional methodology and the results are scientifically sound. I am not a native speaker, but I can see that the langauge, although understandable and clear still requires check and corrections Response: Yes, I have asked the translation company （AJE）to edit this article again.Reviewer 2 Report
The authors present a study about runoff variations in China. From my understanding, the technical parts of this work were done carefully and correctly. Moreover, I appreciate the effort the authors collecting the data. The research question is a very interesting and original topic. This paper could be a useful contribution in fields however this article has some important weaknesses that I list below:
- Title is very long and not clear and direct
- Objectives are not defined. Hypotheses are lacking.
- Introduction is lacking in the abstract and some list of results are showed (difficult to read), and the general contribution is lacking.
- Introduction and discussion: an international context is lacking.
- The structure of Method section must to improved.
- Result and discussion are merged. It will be better for the reader to create 2 independent sections.
- The study has many important and relevant data limitations (e.g. 144 cores -only 72 trees is not a big number of samples to reconstruct master chronologies) that must to be explained in the discussion as a limitations
- Future research and recommendations are not indicated.
- Introduction is very short.
- There are important elements that must be more strongly highlighted in this paper:
- What are the original elements of this research?
- Need to study this subject?
- Implications for forest management and conservation?
At this stage, I propose the authors to consider these suggestions in a major revision, and request the editor not to accept the manuscript until and unless the authors make the changes. Congratulations to the authors, they have realized a good job in this original research. I have also provided the following specific comments that would help to improve the quality of this manuscript.
- Specific comments
L2-4: Provide a new short and direct title.
L13: add an introduction to this abstract.
L20-21: Remove list
L24 same
L31. What’s the contribution of this study? Add it here
Keywords: I propose delete the keywords repeated in the title (e.g.tree rings.. runoff). I propose to add the next: Dendroecology, forests.
Introduction: It is very short.
L.34 add an international context- A paragraph to improve the scopus of this paper.
L35. Only in Asia? Remove central asia, to increase the scopus of this paper.
L36-37. I suggest adding this reference here:
- Montoro Girona, M.; Morin, H.; Lussier, J.-M.; Walsh, D. Radial Growth Response of Black Spruce Stands Ten Years after Experimental Shelterwoods and Seed-Tree Cuttings in Boreal Forest. Forests2016, 7, 240.
- Martin M, Girona MM, Morin H (2020) Driving factors of conifer regeneration dynamics in eastern Canadian boreal old-growth forests. PLoS ONE 15(7): e0230221. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230221
L39-41: Add reference
L.42. Add a preliminary sentence about how dendroecology could be an useful tool to re-construct the patterns of natural or anthropic phenomenon. Please add this reference:
Labrecque-Foy, J.-P.; Morin, H.; Girona, M.M. Dynamics of Territorial Occupation by North American Beavers in Canadian Boreal Forests: A Novel Dendroecological Approach. Forests 2020, 11, 221.
Navarro, L., Morin, H., Bergeron, Y., et Montoro Girona, M., 2018. Changes in Spatiotemporal Patterns of 20th Century Spruce Budworm Outbreaks in Eastern Canadian Boreal Forests. Frontiers in Plant Science 9. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01905
L44. This information is part of the study area description. I suggest to describe and present the previous studies of the L42.
L51-56. Any references?
L57-63: Where is the goals and hypothesis?
L65: separate in two different sections. 2.1 sudy area 2.2. Tree-ring chronologi
L77. Only 72 trees? It is so low number of samples,.. explain why, please
L79: add more precision in the description e.g. “a manual Henson micrometer (LINTAB™, Rinntech, Heidelberg, Germany) having an accuracy of 0.01 m”
L81. For ARSTAN. Add this reference: Holmes, R. L., Adams, R. K., and Fritts, H. C. (1986). Tree-Ring Chronologies of Western North America: California, Eastern Oregon and Northern Great Basin with Procedures used in the Chronology Development Work Including Users Manuals for Computer Programs COFECHA and ARSTAN. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona.
L91 : separate in two sections one for subject
L112: Means? Add it in the caption
L164. Nice
Figure 5: Remove the circle with 0.85. Add minor ticks in this figure.
L211-212. Why? Explain it, please.
Author Response
The authors present a study about runoff variations in China. From my understanding, the technical parts of this work were done carefully and correctly. Moreover, I appreciate the effort the authors collecting the data. The research question is a very interesting and original topic. This paper could be a useful contribution in fields however this article has some important weaknesses that I list below:
Title is very long and not clear and direct
Objectives are not defined. Hypotheses are lacking.
Introduction is lacking in the abstract and some list of results are showed (difficult to read), and the general contribution is lacking.
Introduction and discussion: an international context is lacking.
The structure of Method section must to improved.
Result and discussion are merged. It will be better for the reader to create 2 independent sections.
The study has many important and relevant data limitations (e.g. 144 cores -only 72 trees is not a big number of samples to reconstruct master chronologies) that must to be explained in the discussion as a limitations
Future research and recommendations are not indicated.
Introduction is very short.
There are important elements that must be more strongly highlighted in this paper:
- What are the original elements of this research?
- Need to study this subject?
- Implications for forest management and conservation?
At this stage, I propose the authors to consider these suggestions in a major revision, and request the editor not to accept the manuscript until and unless the authors make the changes. Congratulations to the authors, they have realized a good job in this original research. I have also provided the following specific comments that would help to improve the quality of this manuscript.
Response：Thank you for your suggestions.
Specific comments
L2-4: Provide a new short and direct title.
Response：Yes, I have corrected.
New title: A 422-year reconstruction of Kaiken River streamflow, Xinjiang, Northwest China
L13: add an introduction to this abstract.
Response: Yes, I have added.
L20-21: Remove list
Response: Yes, I have removed.
L24 same
Response: Yes, I have removed.
L31. What’s the contribution of this study? Add it here
Response: Yes, I have added.
Keywords: I propose delete the keywords repeated in the title (e.g.tree rings.. runoff). I propose to add the next: Dendroecology, forests.
Response：Yes, I have corrected.
Introduction: It is very short.
Response：Yes, I have improved.
L.34 add an international context- A paragraph to improve the scopus of this paper.
Response：Yes, I have added.
L35. Only in Asia? Remove central asia, to increase the scopus of this paper.
Response：Yes, I have improved.
L36-37. I suggest adding this reference here:
Response：Yes, I have added.
Montoro Girona, M.; Morin, H.; Lussier, J.-M.; Walsh, D. Radial Growth Response of Black Spruce Stands Ten Years after Experimental Shelterwoods and Seed-Tree Cuttings in Boreal Forest. Forests2016, 7, 240.
Martin M, Girona MM, Morin H (2020) Driving factors of conifer regeneration dynamics in eastern Canadian boreal old-growth forests. PLoS ONE 15(7): e0230221. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230221
L39-41: Add reference
L.42. Add a preliminary sentence about how dendroecology could be an useful tool to re-construct the patterns of natural or anthropic phenomenon. Please add this reference:
Response：Yes, I have added.
Labrecque-Foy, J.-P.; Morin, H.; Girona, M.M. Dynamics of Territorial Occupation by North American Beavers in Canadian Boreal Forests: A Novel Dendroecological Approach. Forests 2020, 11, 221.
Navarro, L., Morin, H., Bergeron, Y., et Montoro Girona, M., 2018. Changes in Spatiotemporal Patterns of 20th Century Spruce Budworm Outbreaks in Eastern Canadian Boreal Forests. Frontiers in Plant Science 9. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01905
L44. This information is part of the study area description. I suggest to describe and present the previous studies of the L42.
Response：Yes, I have moved.
L51-56. Any references?
Response：no need.
L57-63: Where is the goals and hypothesis?
Response：Yes, I have added.
L65: separate in two different sections. 2.1 sudy area 2.2. Tree-ring chronologi
Response：Yes, I have separated.
L77. Only 72 trees? It is so low number of samples,.. explain why, please
Response：Yes, it is 144 samples. According to standard methods of tree-ring research, at least 20 trees from one site is ok, and our sample depth has met this principle
L79: add more precision in the description e.g. “a manual Henson micrometer (LINTAB™, Rinntech, Heidelberg, Germany) having an accuracy of 0.01 m”
Response：Yes, I have added.
L81. For ARSTAN. Add this reference: Holmes, R. L., Adams, R. K., and Fritts, H. C. (1986). Tree-Ring Chronologies of Western North America: California, Eastern Oregon and Northern Great Basin with Procedures used in the Chronology Development Work Including Users Manuals for Computer Programs COFECHA and ARSTAN. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona.
Response：Yes, I have added.
L91 : separate in two sections one for subject
Response：Yes, I have corrected.
L112: Means? Add it in the caption
Response：Yes, I have added.
L164. Nice
Response：Yes, I have added.
Figure 5: Remove the circle with 0.85. Add minor ticks in this figure.
Response：I think it is OK.
L211-212. Why? Explain it, please.
Response：Based on the fig.7
