The Influence of Environment on the Distribution Characteristics of Historical Buildings in the Songshan Region

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The study sets out to cover an interesting investigation of factors that influence the evolution of the historical landscape of Songshan based on spatial analysis. However, there are several major aspects where the study needs to be improved and clearly articulated: 

1. Literature review of similar work outside of China or international relevant studies is insufficient. Although the context may be different, it is important to have an overall review of significant studies on spatial distribution to understand the evolution of historic landscapes and their implications.   

2. The research design or the framework of the study is unclear. What are the research questions, linkages between research methods and the influencing factors? How are the influencing factors were chosen and what is their significance?

3. The title of 4.4 heritage assessment system is misleading or the section has insufficient content. While the section described the growing number of buildings, there is a lack of content on heritage assessment system in Songshan, historical values of buildings and the assessment standards of historic buildings. 

Other comments:

1. The software and method are mentioned repetitively in the findings. Once mentioned in the methodology, it is not necessary to repeat it in the findings section.  

2. It is difficult to follow the findings and the relevant Figures 5, 6 and 7. There are no labels of areas for Figures 5 and 6. It is difficult to discern between 'Wei and Jin' and 'Sui and Tang' in Figure 7 because the colours are too close.  

3. Please translate the Chinese era names in table 3. 

4. A few terms used interchangeably can confuse readers and need to be coherent throughout the article:

a. Songshan area or Songshan region 

b. Regime buildings (table 1) or political power buildings (in text) or administrative buildings (figure 9)

5. Please include a diagram of the landscape to understand the plainform described in the area (p. 14). 

6. Please include pictures of the historical buildings or landscape to better understand the heritage of the Songshan.   

7. There are repetitive sentences and typos. The expression and grammar need to be improved. 

8. Conclusion section font size decreased. Please standardised. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer

Dear reviewer：

We appreciate the time and effort that you dedicated to providing feedback on our Manuscript(land-1993799). We are grateful for the insightful comments and valuable improvements to our paper.Please see the attached document for details

Kind regards,

Xiaojun.Yao

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

 The purpose of this study is to clarify factors that affect the spatial and temporal distribution of historical buildings in the Songshan region.

 Based on the ArcGIS 10.6 spatial analysis method, the study analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics by geographic information system and mathematical statistics.

The work is interesting and original. Nevertheless, the paper is not ready for the publication in its present forms. I recommend the authors to rewrite the papers addressing at least the main issues, listed below.

(i)              2.2 Data source The text generically describes the historic buildings because they are registered on the official website (https://wwj.henan.gov.cn/). It is suggested to supplement the text with more information on the patrimony of the country and to specify the main standards for defining historic buildings.

(ii)            Check the progressive numbering of the Figures (see Figure 2).

(iii)          Historic buildings are organized into Qin and Han dynasties, Wei and Jin dynasties, Sui and Tang dynasties, Song and Yuan dynasties, Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China. It is suggested to specify the historical period (century or year) of the dynasties in the text and figures.

(iv)           4.4 Heritage assessment system Specify better what the term "lot" means.

Consideration :

Not all ancient buildings have survived to these days. For example, in the most populated areas, changes in the soil are faster and faster, while in the countryside changes are slower.

This means that in areas close to the city, buildings of potential historical value today have been demolished. On the contrary, in the countryside (far from the cities) there are more probabilities than in the city that the buildings have not been demolished and therefore today there are more buildings of historical value.

Therefore in the Conclusions it is important to mention that in the spatial distribution factors this aspect was obviously not considered in this study. Because the study is based only on the remaining buildings.

I recommend that the authors address the points given below and resubmit the article.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer

Dear reviewer：

We appreciate the time and effort that you dedicated to providing feedback on our Manuscript(land-1993799). We are grateful for the insightful comments and valuable improvements to our paper.Please see the attached document for details

Kind regards,

Xiaojun.Yao

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Overall the framework of the research is stated more clearly with the revised introduction. A more holistic review of both local and international research is included as well. 

However, the article still needs one more round of proofreading before publication. Within the limited time, the following can be identified:

Line 132 - 136 Rephrase study's objective 2 and 3. It is difficult to understand 

Line 110 elaborated

Line 136 songshan region (make its consistent throughout the article Songshan region with capital S)

Figure 1. Delete the word photo. It is understood they are photos.

The unit to quantify historical buildings is not pieces. See Table 1 and line 293 

Line 389 4. Factors influencing the Distribution of Historical Buildings in the Songshan region 

There are more errors and thorough proofreading is required.

Author Response

Dear reviewer：

We appreciate the time and effort that you dedicated to providing feedback on our Manuscript(land-1993799). We are grateful for the insightful comments and valuable improvements to our paper.

Please see the attached file for details

We are looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your attention and time.

Sincerely,

Xiaojun Yao,phD

Henan Agriculture University

Author Response File: Author Response.docx