Scales of analysis

Measuring indicators to assess sustainable intensification typically requires observing parameters at a given scale and determining the appropriate unit of analysis, sampling framework, and protocols. 

This framework includes four scales of analysis: plot level, farm level, household level and the “landscape or administrative unit.” The landscape or administrative unit scale can be defined as a community, watershed, district, province, or even the nation as a whole.

Observing only one scale can be useful for specific analyses but it is important to realize that by ignoring lower or higher scales, the analysis may not detect other crucial tradeoffs. Also, focusing on only one scale fails to consider important interactions across scales.