PONE-D-24-31693Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors of cultural heritage: a case of the Grand Canal (East Zhejiang section)-Maritime Silk RoadPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Gao,

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The manuscript is innovative and valuable, focusing on the spatial-temporal distribution of cultural heritage related to the Grand Canal and Maritime Silk Road. Minor revisions are needed to improve data clarity, figure quality, structure, and language precision. Addressing these points will enhance the work's clarity and impact.

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Elena Marrocchino

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

Based on the comments of all three reviewers, the manuscript presents a valuable and innovative analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of cultural heritage, particularly in relation to the Grand Canal (East Zhejiang section) and the Maritime Silk Road. The study is of practical significance and is subject to a few key revisions. Minor adjustments are needed to improve the clarity of data sources, the formatting of formulae, the quality of figures, and the precision of language. In addition, suggestions include restructuring certain sections, refining the literature review, and enhancing the discussion of influencing factors with further references. Overall, the paper shows strong potential and would benefit from these refinements to increase clarity and impact.

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: I Don't Know

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: No

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: This paper focuses on the cultural heritage under the joint influence of the Grand Canal (East Zhejiang section) and the Maritime Silk Road, and explores its spatial and temporal evolution patterns and related influencing factors. This work shows a certain logic, substantive coherence, and has important practical significance. I will recommend it to be published at Plos ONE. However, the manuscript still has little issues that should be addressed through appropriate modifications. Thus, minor revision is needed.

1. L128: Please specify which part of the river system data was used.

2. L134: Please check the format of the formulas for each method in Research method and some of the formulas in its notes.

3. L235: The figure uses symbols of different shapes to mark out the different regions, which is not intuitive enough. It is recommended to mark them with boxes of different colors.

4. L235: Please keep the kernel density values in the figure to two decimals only and do the same for the subsequent kernel density figures.

5. L480: The third column of table 10 has too much to say about impacts, and it is suggested that cuts be made to streamline the sentences.

6. L628: Conclusions (3) and (4) have too many words and it is suggested to simplify them.

Reviewer #2: This manuscript analyzes the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors of cultural heritage, using the Grand Canal (East Zhejiang section) in China as a case study. The findings have positive implications for the high-quality and sustainable development of the Grand Canal and the Maritime Silk Road. Specific suggestions are as follows: (1) The description of the study area in the manuscript is unclear. For example, in the title, 'a case of the Grand Canal (East Zhejiang section) - Maritime Silk Road' is vague; (2) The quality of all figures is too low. It is recommended to optimize and enhance the figures, add latitude and longitude grids, and include other necessary elements; (3) Please add a description of the reliability of the underlying cultural heritage distribution data; (4) It is suggested to refine the language and expressions throughout the manuscript, as many parts contain obscure language and errors.

Reviewer #3: The article analyzes the characteristics of spatial and temporal distribution of cultural heritage from the perspective of geography, which is innovative and the results of the study are of practical significance. The regulations are clear and the logic is rigorous, but the manuscript still has the following problems, and it is suggested that it be revised and re-reviewed:

1. it is suggested to modify the overall structure by dividing the first introductory part into two parts, namely, research background and literature review, and combining the second part and the third part into a complete results part.

2. suggested deletions to the abstract

3. the second half of the research uniqueness section is too cumbersome and unfocused

4. the selection and categorization of influencing factors lacks some literature support, and it is suggested to add relevant influencing factors literature as a prelude.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: No

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Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors of cultural heritage: a case of the Grand Canal (East Zhejiang section)-Martime Silk Road

PONE-D-24-31693R1

Dear Dr. Gao,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Peter F. Biehl, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

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3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

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4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

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6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #2: The author has arranged suggestions to revise the manuscript, and I believe that the current manuscript has met the acceptance criteria. I suggest accepting it.

Reviewer #3: (No Response)

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7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy .

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: No

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