Scale

Authors

Dillon T. Fogarty, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Conor Barnes, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Julie A. Fowler, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Katharine F. E. Hogan, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jessica E. Johnson, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Alison Ludwig, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Dirac L. Twidwell Jr, University of Nebraska‐LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2020

Document Type

Article

Citation

Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary (PASSeL) Lesson

Comments

Copyright © 2020 Dillon Fogarty, Conor D. Barnes, Julie A. Fowler, Katharine F. E. Hogan, Jessica E. Johnson, Alison K. Ludwig, and Dirac Twidwell. Used by permission.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. DGE-1735362 and 1920938. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Abstract

Scale represents the physical dimensions of time and space and provides the necessary context for our observations of the world. Different disciplines associate with different scales and confronting the most pressing global issues will require integration of knowledge gained from multiple scales. In this lesson plan we discuss what scale is and how it helps us understand the natural world.

Overview - What Will You Learn in This Lesson?

This lesson discusses what scale is and how it relates to understanding and interpreting natural phenomena.

Objectives

This lesson covers the concept of scale. At the completion of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of scale in terms of grain and extent in space and time
2. Explain why different patterns can emerge from different scales
3. Differentiate between functional and observational scale
4. Explain how processes at broad scales can constrain those at fine scales
5. Explain how fine-scale processes can become broad-scale processes

Modules

• Lesson home
• Overview and Objectives
• Introduction - What Is Scale?
  • Spatial Scale
  • Temporal Scale
  • Can you Identify Grain and Extent?
• Effects of Changing Scale - What Happens When We Look at the Same Location in a Different Way?
  • Can you identify what happens when scale changes?
• Operationalizing Scale: Functional and Observational - Are There Different Types of Scale?
  • Can you identify different types of scale?
• Scale Mismatches - Can Scale Be Misused?
• Multiscale and Cross-Scale Phenomena
  • Can you identify cross-scale patterns?
• Utility of Scale - How Can Scale Be Used in Real-World Management?
• Example - A Multi-Scale Approach to Lesser Prairie-Chickens
• Summary - What Did We Learn?
• References and Further Reading
• Glossary