Region, Sub-region, Place: scales of reference in the methodology of landscape

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.