Reply to reviewers' comments

TLDR

This was a very well done study to explore spectral diversity as a predictor of tick abundance using novel use of methods, and exhaustive statistics to explore any and all possible relationships.

Abstract

General Comments 1. Application of EPIC model to China The authors explain the lower emissions total from this study as being explained by US and UK emissions factors being applied to China (Sect. 3.2.2). In this study, EPIC is described as simulating “a wide range of vegetative systems, tillage systems, and other crop management practices” (p.750, l.25-6). To what extent are these methods specifically reflective of practices in China (versus the US) since the model was developed by US researchers for application in the US (originally)? Are there sensitivity tests that could be conducted to examine how much parameters that are known to differ between cultures influence the fertilizer applied? What extensions might be added in the future to more accurately represent farming practices in China?