Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Geology and Geography
Committee Chair
Trevor M. Harris.
Committee Co-Chair
Timothy A. Warner
Committee Member
Benjamin M. Sstout
Abstract
Concern over scale is not new, and it is not restricted to geographers. Spatial and temporal scaling is a conceptual and methodological problem for all sciences using geographic information. This paper teases out issues of scale and ecological fallacy from the literature and discusses how these issues influence the applicability of an influential theoretical framework in stream ecology, the River Continuum Concept (RCC). Investigators are faced with decisions regarding scale during sampling location selection, field data capture, and subsequent data interpretation. A thorough understanding of the heterogeneity of stream habitats and the life histories of the organisms being studied could enable investigators to make appropriate methodological choices with regard to sampling resolution and extent. It is crucial that investigators improve their ability to understand the consequences of aggregating and extrapolating data collected point samples in order to adequately evaluate ecological hypotheses operating over relatively broad spatial and temporal scales.
Recommended Citation
Childers, Hope M., "Scale, ecological fallacy, and the river continuum concept" (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 699.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/699