Scale (spatial)
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Spatial scale provides a "shorthand" form for discussing relative lengths, areas, distances and sizes. A microclimate, for instance, is one which might occur in a mountain valley or near a lakeshore, whereas a megatrend is one which involves the whole planet.
It is important to realize that these divisions are more or less arbitrary, and where, on this table, mega- is assigned global scope, it may only apply continentally or even regionally in other contexts. The interpretations of meso- and macro- must then be adjusted accordingly.
| Scale | Length | Area | 'Locale |
| Micro | 1 m - 1 km | 1 m2 - 1 km2 | local |
| Meso | 1 km - 100 km | 1 km2 - 100 km2 | regional |
| Macro | 100 km - 10 000 km | 100 km2 - 10 000 km2 | continental |
| Mega | > 10 000 km | >10 000 km2 | global |