334
Chapter 14 identifies two very common micro-scales at which data is available for
FEWS, establishment, and process.
In physics, for example, a micro-scale approach might deal with individual
atoms or molecules operating under the fundamental forces of nature, such as electromagnetism and gravity. In contrast, a macro-scale approach in physics looks at
large numbers of atoms or molecules operating under laws, such as those of thermodynamics, that describe their averaged emergent properties such as temperature,
volume, and pressure. Meso-scale physics typically deals with intermediate systems
where micro-scale features are still relevant, but macro-scale approaches are useful
in describing the overall system’s equilibrium state.
In meteorology, micro-scale studies explore very localized phenomena such as
small-scale weather events like individual local storms. This includes understanding flows of heat, water, and gases between adjacent parts of the atmosphere or
with local parts of the biosphere or hydrosphere on a scale typically less than 1 km,
and approaching the 1–10 m scale where human and ecological microclimates
exist on the landscape. In contrast, macro-scale meteorology is usually referred to
as “synoptic- scale” meteorology, explores systems on the scale of 1000 km or
more where factors like the earth’s rotation and related “cyclonic” phenomenon
like the Coriolis force and factors like greenhouse gas concentration are important.
Intermediate meso-scale meteorology addresses phenomena such as topography,
the atmospheric boundary layer, clouds, coastlines, and the cold and warm “fronts”
common to weather maps, which give rise to weather conditions over 1–100s of
kilometers.
12.3.2.1 Micro-scale
Broadly speaking, micro-scale FEW systems are those where the components are
largely irreducible and have well-defined conditions and modes of interactions.
Micro-scale systems are sometimes referred to as “fine-scale” because of the fundamental and granular consideration of elements. Emergent phenomena (see Sect. 2.2)
emerge from micro-scale processes and interactions, but these phenomena become
visible only at meso-scales.
Micro-scale food systems include the following:
• Individual gardens, fields, farms, and facilities.
• Individual plants, soils, mineral flows, hydrology, local climate conditions, fertilizers, pests and their management, and other local factors.
• Hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
• Food processing facilities that process, convert, and manufacture food
products.
• Food storage and distribution.
• Individuals and families who are laborers.
• Individual and household consumers of food.
M. Carbajales-Dale et al.
Chapter 14 identifies two very common micro-scales at which data is available for
FEWS, establishment, and process.
In physics, for example, a micro-scale approach might deal with individual
atoms or molecules operating under the fundamental forces of nature, such as electromagnetism and gravity. In contrast, a macro-scale approach in physics looks at
large numbers of atoms or molecules operating under laws, such as those of thermodynamics, that describe their averaged emergent properties such as temperature,
volume, and pressure. Meso-scale physics typically deals with intermediate systems
where micro-scale features are still relevant, but macro-scale approaches are useful
in describing the overall system’s equilibrium state.
In meteorology, micro-scale studies explore very localized phenomena such as
small-scale weather events like individual local storms. This includes understanding flows of heat, water, and gases between adjacent parts of the atmosphere or
with local parts of the biosphere or hydrosphere on a scale typically less than 1 km,
and approaching the 1–10 m scale where human and ecological microclimates
exist on the landscape. In contrast, macro-scale meteorology is usually referred to
as “synoptic- scale” meteorology, explores systems on the scale of 1000 km or
more where factors like the earth’s rotation and related “cyclonic” phenomenon
like the Coriolis force and factors like greenhouse gas concentration are important.
Intermediate meso-scale meteorology addresses phenomena such as topography,
the atmospheric boundary layer, clouds, coastlines, and the cold and warm “fronts”
common to weather maps, which give rise to weather conditions over 1–100s of
kilometers.
12.3.2.1 Micro-scale
Broadly speaking, micro-scale FEW systems are those where the components are
largely irreducible and have well-defined conditions and modes of interactions.
Micro-scale systems are sometimes referred to as “fine-scale” because of the fundamental and granular consideration of elements. Emergent phenomena (see Sect. 2.2)
emerge from micro-scale processes and interactions, but these phenomena become
visible only at meso-scales.
Micro-scale food systems include the following:
• Individual gardens, fields, farms, and facilities.
• Individual plants, soils, mineral flows, hydrology, local climate conditions, fertilizers, pests and their management, and other local factors.
• Hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
• Food processing facilities that process, convert, and manufacture food
products.
• Food storage and distribution.
• Individuals and families who are laborers.
• Individual and household consumers of food.
M. Carbajales-Dale et al.