Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper “Analysis of the Impact of Ecological Governance Projects on Regional Ecological Carrying Capacity under the Background of Climate Change” is based on a very important aspect. The paper is well written and needs minor changes

(a)    Change heading 2.1. Overview of the Study Area

(b)   Change heading 2.1.1 as Geological Setting

(c)    The data used in the study is till 2016 which seems to be quite old, Kindly update the data to get a present vision

(d)   Connect your study to sustainable development goals following papers can be helpful

·         Development, equity and sustainability (DES) in the context of climate change. Guidance Papers on the Cross Cutting Issues of the Third Assessment Report of the IPCC, 69-90.

·         Moving towards sustainable environment development in emerging economies: The role of green finance, green tech‐innovation, natural resource depletion, and forested area in assessing the load capacity factor. Sustainable Development, 32(4), 3004-3020.

·         Implications of watershed management programs for sustainable development in rural scenario—a case study from foothills of Punjab state, India

·         The prominence of technological innovation and renewable energy for the ecological sustainability in top SDGs nations: Insights from the load capacity factor." Gondwana Research 129 (2024): 381-397.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The paper is wellwriten

Author Response

Dear expert：

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have made the modifications as your request. On the one hand, the paper has made significant improvements, and most importantly, my personal abilities have significantly improved.

Thank you very much again.

                                                         Shaobo Liu

                                                          2024.12.2

（1）In terms of language, this article has been professionally polished by MDPI.

（2）In terms of content ,the specific situation is as follows:

 

Comment 1：

Change heading 2.1. Overview of the Study Area.

 

Response：I have made the modifications as per your request.

 

 

 

 

 

Comment 2：

  Change heading 2.1.1 as Geological Setting.

 

Response：I have made the modifications as per your request.

 

 

Comment 3：

 

The data used in the study is till 2016 which seems to be quite old, Kindly update the data to get a present vision

Response：

Dear expert. The research period is mainly based on the implementation period of the "DZ" project. I will fully consider this in my future research and apply it to the projects carried out in recent years.

 

Comment 4：

 Connect your study to sustainable development goals following papers can be helpful.

 

Response：

These articles are very relevant, thank you for the recommendation, I have already cited them.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This research is both groundbreaking and insightful, addressing a critical gap in the field of ecological governance. Developing an innovative quantitative model that integrates environmental footprint theory and ecological service value offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating the impacts of environmental projects. The real-world application of the "DZ" project and its measurable outcomes highlight the study's rigor and practical significance. This work contributes to the scientific understanding of ecological carrying capacity enhancement and provides a valuable framework for policymakers and stakeholders striving for sustainability in the face of climate change. An exceptional and impactful study!

Some revisions are necessary:

• The grammar in the article requires correction.
• Round the values to two decimal places in the text and Tables 6, 7, and 8.

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

• The grammar in the article requires correction.

Author Response

Dear expert：

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have made the modifications as your request. On the one hand, the paper has made significant improvements, and most importantly, my personal abilities have significantly improved.

Thank you very much again.

                                                         Shaobo Liu

                                                          2024.12.2

（1）In terms of language, this article has been professionally polished by MDPI.

（2）In terms of content ,the specific situation is as follows:

 

Comment 1：

Round the values to two decimal places in the text and Tables 6, 7, and 8.

 

Response：

Dear expert, let me explain this situation. The per capita ecological footprint is sometimes a very small indicator, and if only two decimal places are retained, there may be a phenomenon of all "0.00". I have re-screened the data in the relevant tables and further standardized the format. I hope to receive your understanding.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

[1] Remove “Analysis of the” and “the Background of” from the title.

[2] Start the abstract with a clear, direct statement of the study's purpose; avoid excessive numerical details in the abstract; clearly state how the study addresses the research gap mentioned; focus on summarizing key findings and their significance; and emphasize why the approach used in this study is innovative or unique.

[3] Suggested keywords could be “Climate change; Ecological governance; Ecological carrying capacity; Quantitative evaluation; Ecological service value; Sustainable development; Soil and water conservation”.

[4] Revise the opening sentence to “Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and disrupts precipitation patterns, posing significant challenges to regional water management systems.”

[5] Emphasize why the “DZ” project and other ecological governance initiatives are critical in this region. Provide more specifics on the unique challenges in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area, explaining why it serves as a fitting case study.

[6] Define key terms early in the introduction, such as “ecological carrying capacity” and “ecological governance projects”.

[7] Replace “However, few studies have explored the benefits of ecological engineering...” with “Despite their recognized importance, few studies have quantitatively evaluated how ecological governance projects enhance regional ecological carrying capacity, particularly under the stress of climate change.”

[8] Expand on how the method developed in this study enriches the evaluation of ecological governance projects and their impacts on regional sustainability.

[9] Avoid repeating similar ideas, especially regarding the benefits of ecological governance projects. Condense these to enhance the flow and clarity of the narrative.

[10] Explicitly state how the findings of this study could inform policy or practical strategies for managing water resources and ecological governance in other regions facing similar challenges.

[11] In section 2, condense numerical details where possible. For instance, instead of listing exact rainfall values, summarize the range as “The region experiences significant variability in annual rainfall, ranging from under 400 mm to over 1400 mm.”

[12] Avoid redundancy, such as repeating the fragile ecological environment in multiple sections.

[13] The background is thorough but could shift focus toward the methodological approach earlier. Specify how the geographical, climatic, and socioeconomic data were integrated into the evaluation model.

[14] Explicitly state why the Danjiangkou Reservoir area was chosen as the research focus. Highlight its strategic importance for the South to North Water Diversion Project and the unique challenges it presents.

[15] Discuss the connection between the region's socioeconomic trends (e.g., declining population, urbanization) and the ecological engineering goals, explaining how these factors may influence the effectiveness of the “DZ” project.

[16] Link the climate description more explicitly to the challenges posed by climate change, such as fluctuating rainfall and its impact on soil erosion and water resource management.

[17] Change the section title for 2.3 to “Methodology”.

[18] In section 2.3.1, simplify overly complex sentences to improve readability, especially for non-specialist audiences.

[19] Introduce subheadings or bullet points for the steps (e.g., calculation of ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity, profit and loss) to improve readability.

[20] Include references earlier in the text for the origins of models or parameters, rather than waiting until the end. For example, the equilibrium factors cited should explicitly mention sources when first introduced.

[21] The section of practical applications could briefly describe real-world applications or case studies to contextualize the methodology and demonstrate its relevance beyond theoretical calculations.

[22] Briefly discuss the rationale for the specific values of the equilibrium and yield factors used in the study.

[23] The calculation for ecological footprint per 10,000 GDP (USD) is interesting. Why is this metric chosen, and how does it help in evaluating sustainability?

[24] Add a diagram or flowchart summarizing the ecological footprint model and briefly discuss whether the model considers variability in parameters like yield factors or equilibrium factors across different scenarios.

[25] In section 2.3.2, use bullet points or tables to summarize key ideas for each benefit category, ensure each variable in the equations is defined immediately after its introduction, and consolidate references into a single note or a bibliography section.

[26] Explicitly state how the proposed evaluation system and models are innovative or superior to existing methods. For example, do they incorporate new parameters or address gaps in prior research?

[27] Discuss how the evaluation results could influence decision-making or policy in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area and other similar regions.

[28] Adding flowcharts or diagrams to illustrate the relationships between ecological services, their evaluation methods, and corresponding formulas would enhance conceptual understanding.

[29] Reevaluate if all details (e.g., specific percentages and parameters) are necessary in the main text or if some can be moved to supplementary material.

[30] Provide greater clarity in section 2.3.3 by breaking down dense ideas into smaller, more digestible parts.

[31] The discussion about the broader ecological benefits could be streamlined to maintain focus on the most relevant contributions.

[32] Highlight the practical implications of the model's findings for policymakers and stakeholders, emphasizing how they can influence future projects and governance strategies.

[33] The selection of the period (2006-2016) to assess the ecological impact of the “DZ” project is well-justified. However, it would strengthen the rationale to clarify how the lag between implementation and observable benefits has been quantified.

[34] Provide further discussion on the underlying causes of the wave-like fluctuations observed. Identify specific interventions or external factors (e.g., economic changes, policy shifts) that may have contributed to these fluctuations.

[35] It would be valuable to explore how ecological carrying capacity and ecological deficit interact with each other and what specific interventions (e.g., policy or conservation efforts) have had the most significant impact.

[36] The low value attributed to land protection (0.39%) is an interesting finding and warrants further exploration. What specific factors contribute to the relatively minor role of land protection in the overall ecological service value?

[37] While the results section provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the data, a more explicit discussion of the broader implications of these findings would be beneficial. How do these results inform future ecological governance projects in similar regions? Are there policy recommendations that can be drawn from the observed trends?

[38] Providing more detail on the specific limitations of the project’s design (e.g., scale, geographic coverage, or resources allocated), and propose specific research avenues or pilot projects to better address these challenges and enhance the project’s overall impact.

[39] In the conclusion, the results should be clearly linked to the overarching objectives of the research to reinforce the contribution of the study to the field.

[40] Present the findings in a more organized way, consolidating the first two points into one clear statement to avoid repetition. Frame the third point as a final, summarizing conclusion that emphasizes the “DZ” project’s contribution.

Author Response

Dear expert：

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have made the modifications as your request. On the one hand, the paper has made significant improvements, and most importantly, my personal abilities have significantly improved.

Thank you very much again.

                                                         Shaobo Liu

                                                          2024.12.2

（1）In terms of language, this article has been professionally polished by MDPI.

（2）In terms of content ,the specific situation is as follows:

 

Comment 1：

Remove “Analysis of the” and “the Background of” from the title.

 

Response：We have removed the relevant vocabulary as per your request.

“The Impact of Ecological Governance Projects on Regional Ecological Carrying Capacity under Climate Change”（Line1-4）

After improvement, the title becomes more concise and clear.

 

 

Comment 2：

Start the abstract with a clear, direct statement of the study's purpose; avoid excessive numerical details in the abstract; clearly state how the study addresses the research gap mentioned; focus on summarizing key findings and their significance; and emphasize why the approach used in this study is innovative or unique.

 

Response：I have made the modifications to the abstract section as per your request, and the specific changes are as follows:

Abstract: Ecological governance projects have great potential benefits, but there is a lack of quantitative evaluation of their impacts in terms of enhancing the regional ecological carrying capacity under climate change. To quantitative evaluate the impact of ecological governance projects on regional ecological carrying capacity, a quantitative evaluation model was developed by coupling the classical ecological footprint and ecological service value theory. This model was validated using the water source treatment project hereinafter referred to as "’DZ’ project " of the Middle Route of China's South to North Water Diversion Project which is the world's largest water diversion project as an example. The results showed the following: (1) During the implementation of the "DZ" project, the per capita ecological carrying capacity of the reservoir area experienced a wave-like growth trend, with an increase of 0.103615 hm² and a yield increase rate of 20.00%. The "DZ" project has outstanding ecological benefits, valued at approximately USD 125.272 266 million.  (2)The  "DZ" project has contributed to the improvement in the ecological carrying capacity in the Henan area of the Danjiang Reservoir by about 10.14%, demonstrating that such projects have a considerable impact on efforts to improve the regional ecological carrying capacity under  climate change. （Line 8-27）

 

Comment 3：

Suggested keywords could be “Climate change; Ecological governance; Ecological carrying capacity; Quantitative evaluation; Ecological service value; Sustainable development; Soil and water conservation”.

Response：I have carefully considered the article and, based on your feedback, have made the following revisions:

Climate change; Ecological governance; Ecological carrying capacity; Quantitative evaluation; Ecological service value; Sustainable development（Line 28-31）

 

Comment 4：

Revise the opening sentence to “Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and disrupts precipitation patterns, posing significant challenges to regional water management systems.”

Response：I have revised this section based on your request. After modification, the theme has become more distinct. Thank you for your suggestion. The specific changes are as follows:

Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and disrupts precipitation patterns, posing significant challenges to regional water management systems.（Line 35-36）

 

Comment 5：

 Emphasize why the “DZ” project and other ecological governance initiatives are critical in this region. Provide more specifics on the unique challenges in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area, explaining why it serves as a fitting case study.

Response：

I have added the relevant content as per your request, as follows:

…which is the world's largest water diversion project…(Line 37-38)

However, the Danjiangkou reservoir area is also a severely affected area by soil erosion disasters. Before comprehensive management, the area of soil erosion accounted for 51.21% of the total area, and the average soil erosion modulus in the region was about 4100t/km² per year. The severe soil erosion in the reservoir area is affecting the normal operation of the South to North Water Diversion Project[1].( Line 40-44)

 

Comment 6：

Define key terms early in the introduction, such as “ecological governance projects”and“ecological carrying capacity”.

Response：

The explanation about the "ecological governance project" is as follow:

…ecological governance projects, such as the “Danjiangkou Reservoir Area and Upstream Soil and Water Conservation Control Project” (the "DZ"), the “Soil Transfer and Fertilizer Increase Project”, and the “Clean Small Watershed Management Project”…

（Line 46-50）

The explanation about the " ecological carrying capacity " is as follow:

…ecological carrying capacity which maintain the sustainable development…

（Line 106）

 

 

Comment 7：

Replace “However, few studies have explored the benefits of ecological engineering...” with “Despite their recognized importance, few studies have quantitatively evaluated how ecological governance projects enhance regional ecological carrying capacity, particularly under the stress of climate change.”

Response：

I have made the modifications to this section as per your request.

Despite their recognized importance, few studies have quantitatively evaluated how ecological governance projects enhance regional ecological carrying capacity which maintain the sustainable development, particularly under the stress of climate change.

（Line 104-106）

 

 

Comment 8：

Expand on how the method developed in this study enriches the evaluation of ecological governance projects and their impacts on regional sustainability.

Response：

I have added the following content as per your request.

…To investigate that hypothesis, this study coupled the ecological footprint model which is a tool to quantitatively evaluate the level of regional sustainable development and the ecosystem service value theory which is a tool to quantitatively evaluate the benefits of a certain project to develop a contribution rate model for how ecological governance engineering can enhance the regional ecological carrying capacity under changeable climate.（Line 110-115）

 

 

Comment 9：

Avoid repeating similar ideas, especially regarding the benefits of ecological governance projects. Condense these to enhance the flow and clarity of the narrative.

Response：

I have streamlined and optimized this section as per your request.

 

 

 

Comment 10：

Explicitly state how the findings of this study could inform policy or practical strategies for managing water resources and ecological governance in other regions facing similar challenges.

Response：

I have added the relevant instructions as per your request.

The research results clearly indicate the benefits of specific measures in ecological engineering and their contribution to ecological carrying capacity, which can provide technical support for scientific planning of subsequent projects and the sustained effectiveness of existing projects.

（Line 128-131）

 

 

Comment11：

In section 2, condense numerical details where possible. For instance, instead of listing exact rainfall values, summarize the range as “The region experiences significant variability in annual rainfall, ranging from under 400 mm to over 1400 mm.”

Response：

I have streamlined and optimized this section as per your request.

 

 

Comment 12：

Avoid redundancy, such as repeating the fragile ecological environment in multiple sections.

Response：

I have streamlined and optimized this section as per your request.

 

 

Comment 13：

The background is thorough but could shift focus toward the methodological approach earlier. Specify how the geographical, climatic, and socioeconomic data were integrated into the evaluation model.

Response：

I have added the following content as per your request.

…In this model, indicators such as "the value of storing nutrients in soil " and " the value of protecting land resources " in the ecological service value evaluation system are used to combine the “ecological footprint per 10 thousand GDP” indicator in the ecological footprint model, and then calculate the GDP output capacity of the unit ecological footprint. Based on these indicators, combined with the formula (15) established in section 2.3.3 of this study, the contribution of ecological governance projects to regional carrying capacity is finally calculated.

（Line 116-122）

 

 

Comment 14：

Explicitly state why the Danjiangkou Reservoir area was chosen as the research focus. Highlight its strategic importance for the South to North Water Diversion Project and the unique challenges it presents.

Response：

I have added the relevant content as per your request, as follows:

…which is the world's largest water diversion project…(Line 37-38)

However, the Danjiangkou reservoir area is also a severely affected area by soil erosion disasters. Before comprehensive management, the area of soil erosion accounted for 51.21% of the total area, and the average soil erosion modulus in the region was about 4100t/km² per year. The severe soil erosion in the reservoir area is affecting the normal operation of the South to North Water Diversion Project[1].( Line 40-44)

 

 

Comment 15：

Discuss the connection between the region's socioeconomic trends (e.g., declining population, urbanization) and the ecological engineering goals, explaining how these factors may influence the effectiveness of the “DZ” project.

Response：

I have added this section as per your request.

Socioeconomic indicators reflect the degree of human utilization of natural resources. Although the large-scale relocation caused by reservoir construction has reduced the pressure on regional sustainable development, the increase in urbanization level and GDP has intensified the utilization of natural resources. ( Line 193-196)

 

 

Comment 16:

 Link the climate description more explicitly to the challenges posed by climate change, such as fluctuating rainfall and its impact on soil erosion and water resource management.

Response：

I have added this section as per your request.

The sustained meteorological drought affects the comprehensive benefits of ecological engineering by affecting plant measures. Concentrated precipitation can cause flash floods, which in turn can damage ecological engineering measures such as terraced fields, fish scale pits, and slope protection. ( Line 180-183)

 

 

Comment 17:

Change the section title for 2.3 to “Methodology”.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request. ( Line 210)

 

 

Comment 18:

 In section 2.3.1, simplify overly complex sentences to improve readability, especially for non-specialist audiences.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

…This method quantitatively analyzes and evaluates the sustainable development status of a region by comparing ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity indicators. The ecological footprint indicator is the size of the biologically productive land area required to maintain the sustainable develop-ment of human society and the natural environment in a given population area. The ecological carrying capacity index refers to the maximum biologically productive land area that a region can provide.

In this study, the ecological footprint model was mainly used to quantitatively analyze the sustainable development level of the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area in Henan Province.

…( Line 213-222)

 

 

Comment 19:

 Introduce subheadings or bullet points for the steps (e.g., calculation of ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity, profit and loss) to improve readability.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

The specific analysis steps are as follows and shown in Figure 3:

Figure 3. Application process of ecological footprint model.

 

Step 1：Calculation of ecological footprint

Step 2：Calculation of ecological carrying capacity

Step 3：Calculation of ecological profit and loss

Step 4：Calculation of ecological footprint per 10 thousand GDP (USD)

( Line 246)

 

Comment 20:

Include references earlier in the text for the origins of models or parameters, rather than waiting until the end. For example, the equilibrium factors cited should explicitly mention sources when first introduced.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

1) Main parameter determination

① Equilibrium factor. The productivity gap between different types of lands is large, and they cannot be directly compared with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to combine different types of lands with global equilibrium factors from a global aver-age perspective, in order to transform various types of lands with different productiv-ity levels into an equilibrium value that can be compared between different types of lands. According to relevant research [22, 23], the equilibrium factors are as follows: the water area is 0.35, forest land is 1.36, grassland is 0.48, construction land is 2.15, ar-able land is 2.15, and fossil energy land is 1.36. This parameter is stable during a certain period of time.

② Yield factor. In order to facilitate the comparison of similar lands with a pro-duction capacity in different regions, yield factors were introduced in the ecological footprint method. This parameter refers to the ratio of the average annual productivity of a certain type of land in a region to the global average annual productivity. Based on the Nanyang Statistical Yearbook (2006–2016) [24] and relevant research [25, 26], the equilibrium factors of the Danjiangkou Reservoir area are as follows: the cultivated land is 1.65, forest land is 0.8, grassland is 0.19, water area is 1.51, and construction land is 1.65. This parameter is stable during a certain period of time.

( Line 223-239)

 

 

Comment 21:

The section of practical applications could briefly describe real-world applications or case studies to contextualize the methodology and demonstrate its relevance beyond theoretical calculations.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

In this study, the ecological footprint model was mainly used to quantitatively analyze the sustainable development level of the Danjiangkou Reservoir Area in Henan Province.

( Line 220-221)

In this study, the ecological service value theory is mainly used to investigate the comprehensive benefits of the "DZ" project.

( Line 315-317)

 

 

Comment 22:

Briefly discuss the rationale for the specific values of the equilibrium and yield factors used in the study.

Response：

The productivity gap between different types of lands is large, and they cannot be directly compared with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to combine different types of lands with global equilibrium factors from a global aver-age perspective, in order to transform various types of lands with different productiv-ity levels into an equilibrium value that can be compared between different types of lands.

In order to facilitate the comparison of similar lands with a pro-duction capacity in different regions, yield factors were introduced in the ecological footprint method. This parameter refers to the ratio of the average annual productivity of a certain type of land in a region to the global average annual productivity.

( Line 224-239)

 

 

Comment 23:

The calculation for ecological footprint per 10,000 GDP (USD) is interesting. Why is this metric chosen, and how does it help in evaluating sustainability?

Response：

China is accustomed to using the concept of 10,000 GDP when compiling GDP data, in order to facilitate comparisons between different regions and industries.

 

 

Comment 24:

Add a diagram or flowchart summarizing the ecological footprint model and briefly discuss whether the model considers variability in parameters like yield factors or equilibrium factors across different scenarios.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

The specific analysis steps are as follows and shown in Figure 3:

Figure 3. Application process of ecological footprint model.

 

( Line 246)

 

 

Comment 25:

In section 2.3.2, use bullet points or tables to summarize key ideas for each benefit category, ensure each variable in the equations is defined immediately after its introduction, and consolidate references into a single note or a bibliography section.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

 

Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the value of conserving water sources.

 

Figure 5. Schematic diagram of the value of flood control.

 

 

Figure 6. Schematic diagram of the value of purifying water quality.

 

 

Figure 7. Schematic diagram of the value of storing nutritional components.

 

 

Figure 8. Schematic diagram of the value of protecting land resources.

 

 

Figure 9. Schematic diagram of the value of reducing sediment accumulation in reservoirs.

 

 

Figure 10. Schematic diagram of the value of carbon sequestration and oxygen supply.

 

 

Figure 11. Schematic diagram of the value of purifying the air.

 

 

Comment 26:

 Explicitly state how the proposed evaluation system and models are innovative or superior to existing methods. For example, do they incorporate new parameters or address gaps in prior research?

Response：

In previous studies, ecological footprint only studied the level of regional sustainable development, while ecological service value theory simply evaluated the regional ecological service value and engineering comprehensive benefits. This study combines the advantages of two methods to quantitatively evaluate the impact of ecological engineering on the level of regional sustainable development.

( Line 558-562)

 

 

Comment 27:

Discuss how the evaluation results could influence decision-making or policy in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area and other similar regions.

Response：

Furthermor, the research results clearly indicate the benefits of specific measures in ecological en-gineering and their contribution to ecological carrying capacity, which can provide technical support for scientific planning of subsequent projects and policy formulation.

( Line 562-565)

 

 

 

 

Comment 28:

Adding flowcharts or diagrams to illustrate the relationships between ecological services, their evaluation methods, and corresponding formulas would enhance conceptual understanding.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.

 

Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the value of conserving water sources.

 

Figure 5. Schematic diagram of the value of flood control.

 

 

Figure 6. Schematic diagram of the value of purifying water quality.

 

 

Figure 7. Schematic diagram of the value of storing nutritional components.

 

 

Figure 8. Schematic diagram of the value of protecting land resources.

 

 

Figure 9. Schematic diagram of the value of reducing sediment accumulation in reservoirs.

 

 

Figure 10. Schematic diagram of the value of carbon sequestration and oxygen supply.

 

Figure 11. Schematic diagram of the value of purifying the air.

 

 

Comment 29:

Reevaluate if all details (e.g., specific percentages and parameters) are necessary in the main text or if some can be moved to supplementary material.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.(line 832)

 

Comment 30:

 Provide greater clarity in section 2.3.3 by breaking down dense ideas into smaller, more digestible parts.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.(line 608-619)

 

The specific steps are as follows:

Step 1：Calculate the maximum GDP output capacity D₂₀₀₆ of the Henan area of the Danjiang Reservoir region in 2006 while maintaining regional sustainable development；

Step 2：Based on the inflation rate in China from 2006 to 2016, the maximum GDP output value of the Henan area in the Danjiang Reservoir in 2006 was calculated as D₀₆₁₆ in 2016.

Step 3：Calculate the maximum GDP output capacity D₂₀₁₆ of the Danjiang Reservoir area in Henan Province in 2016 while maintaining regional sustainable development.

Step 4: Calculated the difference between D₂₀₁₆ and D₀₆₁₆.

 

 

Comment 31:

The discussion about the broader ecological benefits could be streamlined to maintain focus on the most relevant contributions.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.(line 753-756)

 

 

Comment 32:

Highlight the practical implications of the model's findings for policymakers and stakeholders, emphasizing how they can influence future projects and governance strategies.

Response：

I have made the modifications as per your request.(line 562-565)

Furthermor, the research results clearly indicate the benefits of specific measures in ecological en-gineering and their contribution to ecological carrying capacity, which can provide technical support for scientific planning of subsequent projects and policy formulation.

 

 

Comment 33:

 The selection of the period (2006-2016) to assess the ecological impact of the “DZ” project is well-justified. However, it would strengthen the rationale to clarify how the lag between implementation and observable benefits has been quantified.

Response：

On the other hand, although vegetation measures are one of the important measures for ecological governance, the benefits of forest and grass measures often lag behind due to slow vegetation growth. The short-term benefits of vegetation measures have not been fully utilized, which also limits the role of the "DZ" project in enhancing regional ecological carrying capacity.

(line 802-806)

 

 

Comment 34:

Provide further discussion on the underlying causes of the wave-like fluctuations observed. Identify specific interventions or external factors (e.g., economic changes, policy shifts) that may have contributed to these fluctuations.

Response：

Analysis of the reasons for the fluctuation of ecological indicators in the research area: mainly due to the combined effects of human activities, policy changes, and meteorological disasters. After 2006, the implementation of ecological governance projects such as "DZ", aimed at preventing soil erosion, protecting the ecological environment, improving arable land production capacity, and ensuring water quality at the source of water diversion, has achieved certain results in ecological protection work in the reservoir area. In 2010, a large amount of farmland and forest land and many ponds were destroyed due to floods, and they were not restored quickly after the disaster. The losses caused by water damage were severe, and the ecological carrying capacity of the land briefly decreased. After 2011, with the development of post-disaster reconstruction work and the implementation of the "DZ Phase II", the ecological carrying capacity of the reservoir area was restored.(line 750-763）

 

 

Comment 35:

It would be valuable to explore how ecological carrying capacity and ecological deficit interact with each other and what specific interventions (e.g., policy or conservation efforts) have had the most significant impact.

Response：

From this ratio, it can be surmised that the "DZ" project has made a certain contribu-tion to the regional ecological carrying capacity. At the same time, the terraced field engineering and fish scale pit engineering, which are widely used in the research area and related to the values of "protecting land resources" and "soil nutrient storage", have played an important role.(line788-792)

 

 

Comment 36:

The low value attributed to land protection (0.39%) is an interesting finding and warrants further exploration. What specific factors contribute to the relatively minor role of land protection in the overall ecological service value?

Response：

However, the proportion of "land protection value" in the total ecological service value of "DZ" is only 0.39%. During field research, the reasons were explored as follows: (1) Insufficient fertility, poor irrigation capacity, and low grain yield in newly developed terraced fields and sloping farmland in mountainous areas; (2) With the continuous improvement of the ecological environment in the reservoir area, excessive reproduction of wild animals such as wild boars has had a significant impact on agricultural production. (line793-799)

 

 

Comment 37:

While the results section provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the data, a more explicit discussion of the broader implications of these findings would be beneficial. How do these results inform future ecological governance projects in similar regions? Are there policy recommendations that can be drawn from the observed trends?

Response：

I have added the following content as per your request.

The level of regional sustainable development is influenced by multiple factors such as human activities, policy changes, and climate change. (line 832-833)

 

 

Comment 38:

Providing more detail on the specific limitations of the project’s design (e.g., scale, geographic coverage, or resources allocated), and propose specific research avenues or pilot projects to better address these challenges and enhance the project’s overall impact.

Response：

I have added the following content as per your request.

Factors such as insufficient fertility of newly built terraced fields, poor irrigation conditions for sloping farmland, wild boar infestation, mountain flood damage, and slow effectiveness of forest and grass measures have limited the benefits of the "dz" project. (line 836-839)

 

Comment 39:

In the conclusion, the results should be clearly linked to the overarching objectives of the research to reinforce the contribution of the study to the field.

Response：

I have added the following content as per your request.

Terraced fields, fish scale pits, and slope to terrace projects are key measures to enhance regional ecological carrying capacity. In the implementation of subsequent projects, the construction of such projects can be strengthened. (line 845-847)

 

 

Comment 40:

Present the findings in a more organized way, consolidating the first two points into one clear statement to avoid repetition. Frame the third point as a final, summarizing conclusion that emphasizes the “DZ” project’s contribution.

Response：

I have made the necessary modifications to this section as per your request. (line 836-847)

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

First of all, the work is interesting and deals with a quantitative assessment model to improve the regional ecological carrying capacity. The project taken as an example is the DZ of Southern China.

In general, I do not know how much the topic is relevant to the purposes of the journal: perhaps it would be more correct to submit the work to other journals of the MDPI series.

The abstract seems too long and confusing, I advise the authors to modify it.

The introduction repeats the same concepts too often: here too, a revision is required.

The part of materials and methods and discussion is well formulated and is clear, as well as scientifically relevant.

The conclusions, on the other hand, are excessively short and not very exhaustive: I would devote myself to implementing them to make them valid and efficient.

In summary, the work can be accepted after a careful review, considering however that the topic is not very similar to the journal and perhaps it would be more correct to send it to another MDPI journal (e.g. Agriculture or Sustainability).

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear expert：

Thank you very much for your feedback. I have made the modifications as your request. On the one hand, the paper has made significant improvements, and most importantly, my personal abilities have significantly improved.

Thank you very much again.

                                                         Shaobo Liu

                                                          2024.12.2

（1）In terms of language, this article has been professionally polished by MDPI.

（2）In terms of content ,the specific situation is as follows:

 

 

 

Comment 1：

The abstract seems too long and confusing, I advise the authors to modify it.

Is possibile to summarize the abstract?

 

Response：I have made the modifications to the abstract section as per your request, and the specific changes are as follows:

Abstract: Ecological governance projects have great potential benefits, but there is a lack of quantitative evaluation of their impacts in terms of enhancing the regional ecological carrying capacity under climate change. To quantitative evaluate the impact of ecological governance projects on regional ecological carrying capacity, a quantitative evaluation model was developed by coupling the classical ecological footprint and ecological service value theory. This model was validated using the water source treatment project hereinafter referred to as "’DZ’ project " of the Middle Route of China's South to North Water Diversion Project which is the world's largest water diversion project as an example. The results showed the following: (1) During the implementation of the "DZ" project, the per capita ecological carrying capacity of the reservoir area experienced a wave-like growth trend, with an increase of 0.103615 hm² and a yield increase rate of 20.00%. The "DZ" project has outstanding ecological benefits, valued at approximately USD 125.272 266 million.  (2)The  "DZ" project has contributed to the improvement in the ecological carrying capacity in the Henan area of the Danjiang Reservoir by about 10.14%, demonstrating that such projects have a considerable impact on efforts to improve the regional ecological carrying capacity under  climate change. （Line 8-27）

 

 

Comment 2：

Regarding the modification of keywords.

 

Response：I have carefully considered the article and, based on your feedback, have made the following revisions:

Climate change; Ecological governance; Ecological carrying capacity; Quantitative evaluation; Ecological service value; Sustainable development（Line 28-31）

 

 

Comment 3：

The introduction repeats the same concepts too often: here too, a revision is required.

 

Response：I have made significant revisions to the introduction as per your request, highlighted in red in the original text. （Line 34-130）

 

 

 

Comment 4：

The conclusions, on the other hand, are excessively short and not very exhaustive: I would devote myself to implementing them to make them valid and efficient.

 

Response：I have made the necessary modifications to the conclusion section as per your request.

1) Although the ecological environment in the research area is still in an unsustainable development state, the ecological deficit and ecological footprint have shown a fluctuating downward trend since 2013, while the ecological carrying capacity has fluctuated upward and the ecological footprint per 10 thousand GDP has fluctuated downward. These findings lead us to conclude that the prospects for regional sustainable development are promising. The level of regional sustainable development is influenced by multiple factors such as human activities, policy changes, and climate change. The "DZ" project has had outstanding ecological benefits, with water benefits as the most significant and soil benefits ranking second, which is consistent with the overall goal of the "DZ" project. Factors such as insufficient fertility of newly built terraced fields, poor irrigation conditions for sloping farmland, wild boar infestation, mountain flood damage, and slow effectiveness of forest and grass measures have limited the benefits of the "DZ" project.

2) Based on the method developed in this study for evaluating the contribution rate to ecological carrying capacity enhancement, the contribution of the "DZ" project to regional sustainable development was quantitatively evaluated, with our findings proving that such projects have a certain impact in terms of improving the regional ecological carrying capacity under the background of climate change. Terraced fields, fish scale pits, and slope to terrace projects are key measures to enhance regional ecological carrying capacity. In the implementation of subsequent projects, the construction of such projects can be strengthened.

（Line 827-846）

 

 

Comment 5：

Why? Are you sure? Explain better please

Please explain better the concept of ecological footprint model and ecosystem service value theory.

 

Response：

In summary, the benefits of ecological governance projects are significant, and scientific and reasonable project benefit evaluation is key to ensuring the sustained performance of their engineering benefits. Despite their recognized importance, few studies have quantitatively evaluated how ecological governance projects enhance regional ecological carrying capacity which maintain the sustainable development, particularly under the stress of climate change. Based on these ideas, we speculated that ecological governance projects with significant benefits also contribute greatly to the improvement in the regional ecological carrying capacity under changeable climate. To investigate that hypothesis, this study coupled the ecological footprint model which is a tool to quantitatively evaluate the level of regional sustainable development and the ecosystem service value theory which is a tool to quantitatively evaluate the benefits of a certain project to develop a contribution rate model for how ecological governance engineering can enhance the regional ecological carrying capacity under changeable climate.

In this model, indicators such as "the value of storing nutrients in soil " and " the value of protecting land resources " in the ecological service value evaluation system are used to combine the “ecological footprint per 10 thousand GDP” indicator in the ecological footprint model, and then calculate the GDP output capacity of the unit ecological footprint. Based on these indicators, combined with the formula (15) established in section 2.3.3 of this study, the contribution of ecological governance projects to regional carrying capacity is finally calculated.

To put this model into action, the soil and water conservation control project of Danjiangkou Reservoir, the water source of China's South to North Water Diversion Middle Route, which has been subject to heavy investment, was used as an example case for which we verified and quantitatively analyzed the contribution of the project to the improvement in the regional ecological carrying capacity under climate change. The research results clearly indicate the benefits of specific measures in ecological engineering and their contribution to ecological carrying capacity, which can provide technical support for scientific planning of subsequent projects and the sustained effectiveness of existing projects. （Line 100-131）

 

 

 

Comment 6：

What is the source?

Response：

The basic data in this study pertained to the economy, population, crop yields, fossil energy consumption, land use, engineering construction, and capital investment in the study area.

Yearly data on the economy, population, crop yields, fossil energy consumption, and land use were obtained from the Nanyang Statistical Yearbook. Engineering construction data and capital investment data were derived from the Xichuan County Water Resources Bureau, which was the project supervisor. Other relevant data were mainly sourced from field surveys and investigations in the research area.

（Line 635-642）

 

 

Comment 7：

If is possibile, semplify the figure 5 please.

Response：

The image has been optimized according to your request.

 

 

Comment 8：

In the face of a good discussion, the conclusions are too synthetic and absolutely need to be expanded

Response：I have made the necessary modifications to the conclusion section as per your request.

1) Although the ecological environment in the research area is still in an unsustainable development state, the ecological deficit and ecological footprint have shown a fluctuating downward trend since 2013, while the ecological carrying capacity has fluctuated upward and the ecological footprint per 10 thousand GDP has fluctuated downward. These findings lead us to conclude that the prospects for regional sustainable development are promising. The level of regional sustainable development is influenced by multiple factors such as human activities, policy changes, and climate change. The "DZ" project has had outstanding ecological benefits, with water benefits as the most significant and soil benefits ranking second, which is consistent with the overall goal of the "DZ" project. Factors such as insufficient fertility of newly built terraced fields, poor irrigation conditions for sloping farmland, wild boar infestation, mountain flood damage, and slow effectiveness of forest and grass measures have limited the benefits of the "DZ" project.

2) Based on the method developed in this study for evaluating the contribution rate to ecological carrying capacity enhancement, the contribution of the "DZ" project to regional sustainable development was quantitatively evaluated, with our findings proving that such projects have a certain impact in terms of improving the regional ecological carrying capacity under the background of climate change. Terraced fields, fish scale pits, and slope to terrace projects are key measures to enhance regional ecological carrying capacity. In the implementation of subsequent projects, the construction of such projects can be strengthened.

（Line 827-846）

 

 

Comment 9：

Regarding the direction of the article.

 

Response：

Dear Expert：

（1）The South to North Water Diversion Project is one of the largest water transfer projects in the world. The water source of this project, Danjiangkou Reservoir, is the second largest reservoir in Asia. These two major projects have had a huge impact on the regional microclimate.

 

（2）The "DZ" project is an important water source control project, and its benefits are significantly affected by climate factors such as precipitation.

Based on these two points, I personally think the theme is consistent.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The revised work has been integrated following the reviewer's advice and appears more complete, clear and scientifically correct.

1. the abstract has been corrected and summarized, now the purpose of the work is better understood

2. the introduction has also been revised for the better, appearing more concise and clear

3. the methodologies of the works have been integrated and are more complete

4. the conclusions, however, need to be improved, being too synthetic and not fully reporting the results of the research.

 

The article may be accepted after an integration of the conclusions.

Author Response

Dear expert： Thank you very much for your feedback. I have made the modifications as your request. On the one hand, the paper has made significant improvements, and most importantly, my personal abilities have significantly improved. Thank you very much again. Shaobo Liu 2024.12.5 The specific situation is as follows: Comment： The conclusions, however, need to be improved, being too synthetic and not fully reporting the results of the research. Response：I have made the modifications to the abstract section as per your request, and the specific changes are as follows: 1) Although the ecological environment in the research area is still in an unsustainable development state, the ecological deficit and ecological footprint have shown a fluctuating downward trend since 2013. From 2006 to 2016, the ecological carrying capacity has fluctuated upward with an increase rate of 20.00%. The ecological footprint per 10 thousand GDP has fluctuated downward with a reduction rate of 60.85%. These findings lead us to conclude that the prospects for regional sustainable development are promising. The level of regional sustainable development is influenced by multiple factors such as human activities, policy changes, and climate change. The "DZ" project has had outstanding ecological benefits which was approximately USD 125.272 266 million. The water benefit account for 49.71% of the total benefits is the most significant. The soil benefit account for 33.99% of the total benefits ranking second. This is consistent with the overall goal of the "DZ" project. Factors such as insufficient fertility of newly built terraced fields, poor irrigation conditions for sloping farmland, wild boar infestation, mountain flood damage, and slow effectiveness of forest and grass measures have limited the benefits of the "DZ" project. 2) Based on the method developed in this study for evaluating the contribution rate to ecological carrying capacity enhancement, it is calculated that, the contribution rate of the "DZ" project to regional sustainable development is about 10.14%, under the climate change in the reservoir area. Our findings proving that such projects have a certain impact in terms of improving the regional ecological carrying capacity under the climate change. Terraced fields, fish scale pits, and slope to terrace projects are key measures to enhance regional ecological carrying capacity. In the implementation of subsequent projects, the construction of such projects can be strengthened.