The modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) in physical geography

被引:248
作者
Dark, Shawna J. [1 ]
Bram, Danielle [1 ]
机构
[1] Calif State Univ Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330 USA
关键词
aggregation; GIS; hydrological modelling; modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP); scale;
D O I
10.1177/0309133307083294
中图分类号
P9 [自然地理学];
学科分类号
0705 ; 070501 ;
摘要
Of particular importance to the study of large-scale phenomena in physical geography is the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). While often viewed as only a problem in human geography (particularly demographic studies), the MAUP is an issue for all quantitative studies in geography of spatial phenomena (Openshaw and Taylor, 1979). Increasingly, remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are being used to assess the distribution of phenomena from a large scale. These phenomena are modelled using areal units that can take any shape or size resulting in complications with statistical analysis related to both the scale and method used to create the areal units. In this paper, we define the modifiable areal unit problem, present examples of when it is a problem in physical geography studies, and review some potential solutions to the problem. Our aim is to increase awareness of this complicated issue and to promote further discussion and interest in this topic.
引用
收藏
页码:471 / 479
页数:9
相关论文
共 47 条
[1]  
Amrhein C., 1996, GEOGRAPHICAL SYSTEMS, V3, P143
[2]  
[Anonymous], SCALE MULTISCALING R
[3]  
[Anonymous], 1950, An introduction to the theory of statistics
[4]  
Arbia G., 1996, Geogr. Syst., P123
[5]  
Blalock Jr H. M., 1964, CAUSAL INFERENCES NO
[6]   Satellite remote sensing of forest resources: three decades of research development [J].
Boyd, DS ;
Danson, FM .
PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT, 2005, 29 (01) :1-26
[7]  
Burke IC, 1991, VEGETATION, V80, P71
[8]   A multi-scale analysis of landscape statistics [J].
Cain, DH ;
Riitters, K ;
Orvis, K .
LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY, 1997, 12 (04) :199-212
[9]  
Clarke KeithC., 2002, Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modeling
[10]  
Davis F.W., 1998, CALIFORNIA GAP ANAL