Region, Sub-region, Place: scales of reference in the methodology of landscape
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Abstract
Landscape studies have detected that different spatial units may be equivalent in terms of complexity and significance. They observe behavior affinities and analogous boundary conditions, leading to a hierarchical ordering of such units. Classification is necessary not only because of theoretical requirements, but also owing to methodological needs dictated by the frames of political action. This has originated a plurality of taxonomic classifications. Scale, a flexible concept that must go beyond merely quantitative or dimensional definitions, is located at the root of all taxonomies. As an illustration, a survey is made of three representative levels of landscape analysis (regional, sub-regional, local) showing specific features in their methodology.