Linking Pattern to Process: Intensity Analysis of Land-Change Dynamics in Ghana as Correlated to Past Socioeconomic and Policy Contexts

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

One remark on the methodology. There are several references to the different equations that are in Supplementary Data. I would recommend to put those equations to the main text. It would contribute to the better understanding the main text.

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

In my opinion, the contribution represents a plain analysis of changes in land cover on highly generalized data – inputs.

The whole work is based on "The gross change rates indicated" and this is reflected in the presentation of results, as mentioned in the Limitations of the study section.

Given the above, I also miss the verification of outputs at least in a single locality on a more detailed scale.

The land cover map was validated using more than 3000 reference land cover points and has an overall accuracy of 73%. Explanation – how it was validated.

I find Figure 2 unnecessary – given the scale, all three images appear to be identical. The legend is indistinguishable. A detailed cutout with a presentation related to the description would help somewhat.

According to the statement in the conclusion of the abstract – “The study offers an opportunity to understand the factors associated with the observed land use change and contributes evidence for policy design that aims to mitigate the impact of land use change on the livelihoods of local people and the environment." But, there are no policy change suggestions in the contribution.

I consider it a presentation of an analytical work without specific conclusions.

Conclusions are insufficient.

 

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

This paper presents an analysis of temporal and spatial changes in land cover of environmentally fragile regions (sub-Saharan Africa). The authors report that large-scale expansion of cropland is expected due to increasing demand for fuel, food and fibre. The work is interesting and in general the results are well presented. Very little information comes from these regions, which adds to the value of this work.  Below I give a some commentary on the work and its further revision.

The way the literature is cited is not correct (not according to the journal's requirements, in an introduction) and should be corrected throughout the text.

1: Abstract: The abstract should highlight the objectives of the work clearly.

2: Keywords: avoid words that appear in the title of the work.

3. The introduction can be improved with additional information from other regions of the world.

4. Study area: Information on the study area needs to be expanded. There is a lack of information on soil, vegetation types, and even rainfall. There is some information there, but it is quite general. Please justify why this region is ecologically sensitive. Not all readers know this.

5. Line 230: shrub/herb - This is a wrong term and not clear for what?

Table 1. What is the difference between Tree cover and a forest? It's the same thing, so the choice forest (can be dense or sparse).

Conclusions flow from the research findings and are well formulated.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx