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Geography of Scale

Geography of Scale. Geography of Scale. Definitions of Scale Why does Scale Matter Scale of Patterns/Distributions Scale of Processes Analytical/Conceptual Scale Importance of Scale in APHG Exam. Goals of APHG - Scale.

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Geography of Scale

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  1. Geography of Scale

  2. Geography of Scale • Definitions of Scale • Why does Scale Matter • Scale of Patterns/Distributions • Scale of Processes • Analytical/Conceptual Scale • Importance of Scale in APHG Exam

  3. Goals of APHG - Scale • Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes. • Geographical analysis requires a sensitivity to scale, not just as a spatial category but as a framework for understanding how events and processes at different scales influence one another. Thus, students should understand that the phenomenon they are studying at one scale (e.g., local) may well be influenced by developments at other scales (e.g., regional, national, or global). They should then look at processes operating at multiple scales when seeking explanations of geographic patterns and arrangements.

  4. Scale as “Map Scale” • ScaleSimple but fundamental concept • Sometimes defined in glossary of textbooks, sometimes not • The ratio between the size of area on a map and the actual size of that same area on the earth’s surface (Fellmann). • The ratio of map distance to ground distance; indicated on a map as a bar graph, representative fraction, and/or verbal statement (DeBlij). • Relationship of a feature’s size on a map to its actual size on Earth (Rubenstein). • Different views at different scales • 1:10,000 vs. 1:100,000 vs. 1:1,000,000 vs. 1:10,000,000 • Large scale (e.g., 1:10:000) vs. small scale (e.g., 1:10,000,000)

  5. Scale: mapped out

  6. Scale as “Study Area” Culture Agriculture Urban Systems Population Economic systems Political systems Topography Climate etc., etc., etc. • The size of the area studied, from local to global (Fellmann). • Representation of a real-world phenomenon at a certain level of reduction or generalization (DeBlij). • The resolution levels used in any human geographic research; most characteristically refers to the size of the area studied, but also to the time period covered and number of people investigated (Norton). • Local, regional, national, global …

  7. Why Scale Matters • Affects evaluation of spatial distributions • Examples • Issues to consider • Absolute vs. relative data • Areal units of observation • MAUP: Modifiable Areal Unit Problem • Ecological fallacy • Affects evaluation of spatial processes, models

  8. Scale and One “Layer” of GeographySpatial Distribution (Could be population, diseases, crashes, stores, etc.)

  9. Scale and One “Layer” of GeographyAbsolute vs. Relative Random More Dense Clustered Linear Centralized Less Dense Dispersed (Based on Fellmann, 8th ed., p. 17)

  10. Scale and One “Layer” of GeographyAreal Units Clustered or Dispersed?

  11. Scale and One “Layer” of Geography Random selection? Population

  12. Global Scale:Religion

  13. Religion at a National/Regional Scale

  14. Local Scale: Religion

  15. Global Urbanization

  16. Regional Urbanization

  17. Absolute vs. Relative Data • Patterns seen depend on how data are organized • “Absolute data” (raw numbers) vs. “Relative data” (percentages, rates) • Definitions used • When looking at maps, graphs, etc. related to spatial units of observation (states, counties, etc.), it is important to know how data are organized • “Top ten states in crime” (total crimes? Rate per100,000?) • “Wealthiest countries” (per capita income?) • “Top ten states in agricultural production” (vs. states most oriented to agricultural production?) • Etc.

  18. Modifiable Areal Unit Problem Modifiable Areal Unit ProblemWe can gather data using areal units with a variety of sizes (e.g., block, block group, census tract, county, state, region, country), i.e., at different scales.We can also combine these areal units in a variety of ways --- aggregation. When we modify our areal units of observation, the patterns we see and conclusions we make will vary. This is a problem.

  19. Ecological Fallacy • Inferring from a more aggregated scale to a less aggregated scale • E.g., Taking county-level or state-level data and making conclusions about individuals • http://www.jratcliffe.net/research/ecolfallacy.htm

  20. (Fictitious) State-level data Germans really like Volkswagens!!! Percent of Residents Owning a Volkswagen Percent of Residents Having German ancestry

  21. Why Scale Matters • Affects evaluation of spatial distributions • Affects evaluation of spatial processes, models • Population change • Core-periphery model • Multiple-scale processes

  22. Example: Population Change • Urban vs. Rural population change • Central city vs. Suburban population change • Balance of flows? • concentrating/clustering or dispersing?

  23. Example: Core-Periphery Model • “A model that describes how economic, political, and/or cultural power is spatially distributed between dominant core regions, and more marginal or dependent semi-peripheral and peripheral regions. The core-periphery model can be applied at a variety of spatial scales” (DeBlij). • Global • “North” – “South” • More developed countries – Less developed countries • Continental • Europe: N&W vs. S&E? • National • Russia, UK, US, Italy, Canada….. • Subnational/Regional • Capital/largest city vs. “upstate”/“outstate”?

  24. Multiple-Scale Processes • Processes at one scale can influence processesat different scales • Effects of local events on global scale • Escalation of local conflict • Local drought/freeze/ recession within global markets • Effects of global processes on local areas…

  25. Example: Global processes felt in local areas • Effect of globalization on local landscapes • Worldwide integration of economic, social, political, and cultural activities and systems. • Decreasing friction of distance, communication, transportation, media, mass production • Agriculture • Decreasing friction of distance, export markets, etc., effect in local areas • Culture • Pop vs. folk culture, local cultures and traditions • Economic • International businesses making decisions affecting local communities

  26. Why is this Important? • Promotes integration, and better understanding, of individual topics in APHG course outline • Scale and the APHG Exam • Awareness of scale has been relevant to previous APHG free response questions • Common errors often related to lack of awareness of scale or misapplication of scale-related concepts

  27. Exam Revelations Scale of decision making processes

  28. 2003 Q&A, Question 1 • Intent: … question also gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to think critically at multiple geographic scales (in this case, national and international). • Student Performance: Responses typically scoring five or six points linked multiple features of urban system development to core-periphery relations in both Argentina and Germany and at both national and international scales (though the latter was not a specific element of the rubric). • Common Errors: Some responses evidenced poor map reading skills (e.g., not taking into account the different scales of the map stimuli).

  29. 2004 Exam, Question 3 • Intent: … students’ ability to take the concept of population distribution normally discussed at the national scale and apply it at the urban scale.... While [population pyramids] are commonly encountered in course materials, the exam diagram referred specifically to parts of an urban area (i.e., they shifted scale from national to local). • Student performance: Some responses suggested that students only understood the population pyramid concept at the national level and provided incorrect discussions of, for example, the role in infant mortality in Part (c).

  30. 2005 Exam, Question 3 3. In the 1990’s the central business and residential districts of cities in the United States became the focus of revitalization process. Discuss how each of the following has contributed to this revitalization process. Economic Factors Demographic composition Urban Policy Sense of Place • Common Errors: Several responses addressed urban problems in general, sometimes within an urban vs. rural framework, rather than focusing on the intra-urban scale of analysis. • Advice to teachers: Encourage students to focus on the geographical and spatial aspects of the question. Prepare them for questions at different scales of analysis.

  31. 2005 Exam, Question 1 The modern state system is engaged in a struggle between the forces of supranationalism and devolution. A. Define both terms and give a geographic example of each. B. With reference to the political and economic geography of Europe, briefly discuss three changes resulting from supranationalism. C. With reference to the political and economic geography of Europe, briefly discuss three changes resulting from devolution. • Fundamentally a question of scale • At what scale are decisions made? • At what scale is there autonomy?

  32. Conclusions • Scale (and the other “Goals” of APHG) cannot be considered in isolation from the “Topics” of the course • Relevance to APHG curriculum • Links across sections of the course outline • Cause-and-effect relationships • Synthesis • Process-oriented analysis • Changes in patterns over time

  33. The Scale of This Place……

  34. Source: Tim Strauss, University of Northern Iowa USGS Google Earth Human Geography, Fellman

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