基于对地表过程研究目前存在的问题及对全球变化、地球系统科学和可持续发展研究的国际背景的分析,认为“地表过程”由要素过程研究向系统化的“地表系统科学”研究过渡,是未来地表过程研究的着力点。通过对地表系统科学研究的对象与目标、关注的关键科学问题、研究的时空尺度和研究的方法与手段等方面的分析,讨论了地表系统科学研究的基本框架。数据监测与分析系统、模拟集成系统和决策支持系统构成地表系统科学研究的主线;地表系统科学的核心目标是通过对地表过程的系统研究,满足科学研究、决策分析者对不同时空尺度复杂地表过程认识的需要。不同时空尺度的耦合与转换、地表圈层与其他圈层的相互作用关系、系统视角下面向复杂问题的关键过程选择及人与自然的耦合机制是当前亟待解决的关键科学问题。地表系统科学研究应采用综合、集成的研究方法,地表全要素监测、多源数据融合、过程模拟及结果分析融为一体的研究途径。
Based on the analysis of the problems of land surface processes research and global change, and the international background of studies on the global climate change, earth system science, sustainable development re- search, we suggested that it be the right time for promoting studies on land surface system science to disciplinary systems, which also presents a rare opportunity. The current studies on land surface processes have many prob-lems, such as systemic integration being not enough between different surface elements, there being no complete, systematic structural systems, the lack of a reasonable, effective integration methods and means on studies on land surface processes, and the studies on land surface processes not upgraded to discipline research level. Through the analysis of scientific research and theoretical understanding of the land surface system in China, and the interna- tional urgent scientific needs of scientific research on land surface systems, we suggested that studies on land sur- face processes transit from focusing on elements of the land surface process to the systematic land surface systems science, which is also the focal point of future studies on earth surface processes. On the basis of the above analy- sis, the object and targets, the key scientific issues, the spatial and temporal scales, and research methods and means of the studies on land surface system science were pointed out, and the basic framework of studies on land surface system science were discussed. Data monitoring and analysis system, simulation and integrated systems, and decision support systems constitute the main line of the land surface system science. The core objectives of the land surface system science are meeting the needs of complex decision analysis on different spatial and temporal scales on land surface processes of scientific research and decision-makers through the systemic studies on land sur- face processes. Coupling and conversing between different spatial and temporal scales, the interaction betw