A large scale hierarchical and heterogeneous network, and specifically mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs), derive content elements from a plurality of informational data points via spectrum fusion at each hierarchical level. Content elements may be derived via fusion of information data from peer nodes and from content elements from lower hierarchical levels. Content elements are propagated up for further abstraction at higher hierarchical levels. Each content element is tagged with a node location and external reference direction. The node location and external reference direction facilitate fusion are each hierarchical level where the deriving node is receiving content elements from a plurality of different nodes.