Web Ontologies: Lessons Learned from Conceptual Modeling at Scale
Geography of Scale. Definitions of Scale Why does Scale Matter Scale of Patterns/Distributions ...
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Transcript of Geography of Scale. Definitions of Scale Why does Scale Matter Scale of Patterns/Distributions ...
Geography of Scale
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Definitions of Scale Why does Scale Matter
Scale of Patterns/Distributions Scale of ProcessesAnalytical/Conceptual Scale
Importance of Scale in APHG Exam
Geography of Scale
Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and
processes.
Geographical analysis requires a sensitivity to Geographical analysis requires a sensitivity to scale, not just as a spatial category but as a scale, not just as a spatial category but as a framework for understanding how events and framework for understanding how events and processes at different scales influence one processes at different scales influence one another. Thus, students should understand another. Thus, students should understand that the phenomenon they are studying at one that the phenomenon they are studying at one scale (e.g., local) may well be influenced by scale (e.g., local) may well be influenced by developments at other scales (e.g., regional, developments at other scales (e.g., regional, national, or global). They should then look at national, or global). They should then look at processes operating at multiple scales when processes operating at multiple scales when seeking explanations of geographic patterns seeking explanations of geographic patterns and arrangements.and arrangements.
Goals of APHG - Scale
Scale Simple but fundamental Simple but fundamental conceptconcept
Sometimes defined in glossary of Sometimes defined in glossary of textbooks, sometimes nottextbooks, sometimes not
The ratio between the size of area on a map and The ratio between the size of area on a map and the actual size of that same area on the earth’s the actual size of that same area on the earth’s surface (Fellmann). surface (Fellmann). The ratio of map distance to ground distance; The ratio of map distance to ground distance; indicated on a map as a bar graph, representative indicated on a map as a bar graph, representative fraction, and/or verbal statement (DeBlij). fraction, and/or verbal statement (DeBlij). Relationship of a feature’s size on a map to its Relationship of a feature’s size on a map to its actual size on Earth (Rubenstein).actual size on Earth (Rubenstein).
Different views at different scalesDifferent views at different scales 1:10,000 vs. 1:100,000 vs. 1:1,000,000 vs. 1:10,000 vs. 1:100,000 vs. 1:1,000,000 vs. 1:10,000,000 1:10,000,000 Large scale (e.g., 1:10:000) vs. small scale (e.g., Large scale (e.g., 1:10:000) vs. small scale (e.g., 1:10,000,000)1:10,000,000)
Scale as “Map Scale”
Scale: mapped out
…
Scale as “Study Area”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
etc., etc., etc.
Climate
Topography
Political systems
Population
Urban Systems
Agriculture
Economic systems
Culture
Affects evaluation of spatial Affects evaluation of spatial distributionsdistributions
ExamplesExamplesIssues to consider Issues to consider
Absolute vs. relative dataAbsolute vs. relative dataAreal units of observationAreal units of observation
MAUP: Modifiable Areal Unit MAUP: Modifiable Areal Unit ProblemProblemEcological fallacyEcological fallacy
Affects evaluation of spatial Affects evaluation of spatial processes, modelsprocesses, models
Why Scale Matters
Scale and One “Layer” of Geography
Spatial Distribution
(Could be population, diseases, crashes, stores, etc.)
More Dense
Less Dense
Clustered
Dispersed
Random
Linear
Centralized
(Based on Fellmann, 8th ed., p. 17)
Scale and One “Layer” of Geography
Absolute vs. Relative
Scale and One “Layer” of GeographyAreal UnitsClustered or Dispersed?
Population
Scale and One “Layer” of Geography
Random selection?
Global Scale:Religion
Religion at a National/Regional Scale
Local Scale: Religion
Global Urbanization
Regional Urbanization
Patterns seen depend on how data are organized Patterns seen depend on how data are organized ““Absolute data” (raw numbers) vs. “Relative data” Absolute data” (raw numbers) vs. “Relative data” (percentages, rates)(percentages, rates)Definitions usedDefinitions used
When looking at maps, graphs, etc. related to spatial When looking at maps, graphs, etc. related to spatial units of observation (states, counties, etc.), it is units of observation (states, counties, etc.), it is important to know how data are organized important to know how data are organized
““Top ten states in crime” (total crimes? Rate Top ten states in crime” (total crimes? Rate per100,000?)per100,000?)““Wealthiest countries” (per capita income?) Wealthiest countries” (per capita income?) ““Top ten states in agricultural production” (vs. Top ten states in agricultural production” (vs. states most oriented to agricultural production?)states most oriented to agricultural production?)Etc.Etc.
Absolute vs. Relative Data
Modifiable Areal Unit Modifiable Areal Unit ProblemProblem
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.
Ecological FallacyEcological Fallacy
Inferring from a more aggregated Inferring from a more aggregated scale to a less aggregated scale scale to a less aggregated scale
E.g., Taking county-level or state-E.g., Taking county-level or state-level data and making conclusions level data and making conclusions about individuals about individuals
http://www.jratcliffe.net/research/ecolfallacy.htm
(Fictitious) State-level dataFictitious) State-level data
Percent of Residents Having German ancestryPerc
en
t of
Resi
den
ts O
wn
ing
a V
olk
swag
en
Germans really like Volkswagens!!!
Why Scale MattersWhy Scale Matters
Affects evaluation of spatial Affects evaluation of spatial distributions distributions Affects evaluation of spatial Affects evaluation of spatial processes, modelsprocesses, models
Population change Population change Core-periphery modelCore-periphery modelMultiple-scale processesMultiple-scale processes
Example: Population Change
Urban vs. Rural population Urban vs. Rural population changechangeCentral city vs. Suburban Central city vs. Suburban population changepopulation changeBalance of flows? Balance of flows?
concentrating/clustering or concentrating/clustering or dispersing?dispersing?
Example: Core-Periphery Model
““A model that describes how economic, political, A model that describes how economic, political, and/or cultural power is spatially distributed between and/or cultural power is spatially distributed between dominant core regions, and more marginal or dominant core regions, and more marginal or dependent semi-peripheral and peripheral regions. dependent semi-peripheral and peripheral regions. The core-periphery model can be applied at a variety The core-periphery model can be applied at a variety of spatial scalesof spatial scales” (DeBlij).” (DeBlij).Global
“North” – “South”More developed countries –
Less developed countriesContinental
Europe: N&W vs. S&E? National
Russia, UK, US, Italy, Canada…..Subnational/Regional
Capital/largest city vs. “upstate”/“outstate”?
Multiple-Scale ProcessesProcesses at one scale can influence processesat different scales
Effects of local events on global scale
Escalation of local conflictLocal drought/freeze/ recession within global markets
Effects of global processes on local areas…
Example: Global processes felt in local areas
Effect of Effect of globalizationglobalization on local landscapes on local landscapesWorldwide integration of economic, Worldwide integration of economic, social, political, and cultural activities social, political, and cultural activities and systems. and systems. Decreasing friction of distance, Decreasing friction of distance, communication, transportation, media, communication, transportation, media, mass productionmass production
AgricultureAgricultureDecreasing friction of distance, export Decreasing friction of distance, export markets, etc., effect in local areas markets, etc., effect in local areas
CultureCulturePop vs. folk culture, local cultures and Pop vs. folk culture, local cultures and traditionstraditions
Economic Economic International businesses making International businesses making decisions affecting local communitiesdecisions affecting local communities
Why is this Important?Promotes integration, and better understanding, of individual topics in APHG course outlineScale 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
Exam Revelations
Scale of Scale of decision decision making making
processesprocesses
2003 Q&A, Question 1
Intent: … question also gave Intent: … question also gave students the opportunity to students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to demonstrate their ability to think critically at multiple think critically at multiple geographic scalesgeographic scales (in this (in this case, national and case, national and international). international). Student Performance: Student Performance: Responses typically scoring Responses typically scoring five or six points linked five or six points linked multiple features of urban multiple features of urban system development to core-system development to core-periphery relations in both periphery relations in both Argentina and Germany and Argentina and Germany and at at both national and both national and international scalesinternational scales (though (though the latter was not a specific the latter was not a specific element of the rubric). element of the rubric). Common Errors: Some Common Errors: Some responses evidenced poor responses evidenced poor map reading skills (e.g., not map reading skills (e.g., not taking into account the taking into account the different scales of the map different scales of the map stimulistimuli).).
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).
2005 Exam, Question 3
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.
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.
A. Economic FactorsB. Demographic compositionC. Urban PolicyD.Sense of Place
2005 Exam, Question 1
Fundamentally a question of Fundamentally a question of scalescale
At what scale are decisions At what scale are decisions made? made? At what scale is there At what scale is there autonomy?autonomy?
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.
ConclusionsScale (and the other “Goals” of APHG) Scale (and the other “Goals” of APHG) cannot be considered in isolation from cannot be considered in isolation from the “Topics” of the coursethe “Topics” of the courseRelevance to APHG curriculumRelevance to APHG curriculum
Links across sections of the course Links across sections of the course outlineoutlineCause-and-effect relationshipsCause-and-effect relationshipsSynthesis Synthesis Process-oriented analysisProcess-oriented analysisChanges in patterns over timeChanges in patterns over time
The Scale of This Place……
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Source: Tim Strauss, University of Northern IowaUSGSGoogle EarthHuman Geography, Fellman