Scale matters: a survey of the concepts of scale used in spatial disciplines

Abstract

Scale is a critical factor when studying patterns and the processes that cause them. A variety of approaches have been used to define the concept of scale but confusion and ambiguities remain regarding scale types and their definitions. The objectives of this study were therefore (1) to review existing types and definitions of scale, and (2) to systematically investigate the ambiguities in scale definitions and to determine the applicability of the various scale types and definitions. Through a comprehensive literature review, we identified seven types of scales and designed a survey for the seven definitions of scale and interviewed 150 scientists. The results show that the more cartography related types of scale are relatively well known while the more abstract dimensions are less known and are most ambiguous. Based on graphical examples, participants were asked which spatial scales are most relevant for their work. Surprisingly, composite objects such as a forest stand were most relevant followed by individual objects such as single trees and, lastly, more generalized categorizes or meta-objects such as “forested area”. We have drawn some conclusions that will help to clarify the different types of scale in regard to their practical use.

Schistosoma haematobium infection and environmental factors in Southwestern Tanzania: A cross-sectional, population-based study

“…In contrast, most other studies cited here either have individual data on relatively small study populations from few communities, or they cover entire provinces or countries, and use school prevalences instead of individual outcome data, which means that the population above school age is not considered, and that only pooled data on outcomes and risk factors can be analysed. Regarding some of the different findings of our study compared to others, and also between other studies, one should keep in mind that "scale matters" [82], i.e. that the above mentioned differences in scale between studies might also explain some of the different findings.…”

Agent-Based Modelling of Urban District Energy System Decarbonisation—A Systematic Literature Review

“…Identifying the spatial and temporal scale of the models is important in order to understand the system modelled. Moreover, certain patterns and processes can be dependent on the scale [94] and, thus, they need to be clearly stated. By spatial scale, we mean "geographic scale", defined as a research area's spatial extent in a study [94].…”

Process indicator-of-scale metrics – PRISMs

“…An outcome of these efforts is a few definitions of spatial scale that are frequently encountered across the spatial sciences. Dabiri and Blaschke (2019) provide a high level synthesis of some previous conceptualizations of spatial scale that result in three consistent definitions (amongst others) that are often described in the literature. First, geographic scale refers to the extent of an area of interest.…”

“…On the one hand, domain specific scale terminologies have arisen in conjunction with substantive research in areas such as landscape ecology (e.g., Turner, 1989), remote-sensing (e.g., Wu & Li, 2009), and segregation (e.g., Johnston et al, 2019). This has perhaps led to the idea that scale is an ambiguous concept and is dependent upon application context (Goodchild, 2001;Turner, 1989;Dabiri & Blaschke, 2019). However, on the other hand, there now exists several general treatments of the topic that attempt to bridge subjects and forge a common understanding (Harvey, 1968;Lam & Quattrochi, 1992;Marceau, 1999;Atkinson & Tate, 2000;Dabiri & Blaschke, 2019).…”

“…This has perhaps led to the idea that scale is an ambiguous concept and is dependent upon application context (Goodchild, 2001;Turner, 1989;Dabiri & Blaschke, 2019). However, on the other hand, there now exists several general treatments of the topic that attempt to bridge subjects and forge a common understanding (Harvey, 1968;Lam & Quattrochi, 1992;Marceau, 1999;Atkinson & Tate, 2000;Dabiri & Blaschke, 2019). An outcome of these efforts is a few definitions of spatial scale that are frequently encountered across the spatial sciences.…”