Ecography 25: 626 -- 640, 2002

Abstract

this paper is to present a balanced view of scale terms by considering their specific meanings and their relationships to one another. We identify some of the most prevalent scale terms in ecology and propose that their definitions can be best understood within three categories or dimensions. We then review how changing scales within two of these categories (sampling and analysis) can make a substantial difference to the inferences about the third category (phenomena) . The relevance of changing scales is further discussed using four case studies. Finally, we recommend sampling design considerations that are specific to these dimensions of scal