中文摘要：

激光雷达技术（Light Detection and Ranging,LiDAR）是近十年来快速发展并得到广泛应用的测量手段。美国地质调查局（USGS）、美国国家宇航局（NASA）以及美国地质学会（AASG）已经开始讨论建设全美高分辨率激光雷达数据库。我国正处于东部城市化、土地利用巨变、西部无图而经济高速发展的时期，国家、地方、企业生产单位迫切需要现实性强、精确度高、比例尺大的地形数据产品。满足这些要求的主要途径是采用激光雷达这一先进的测绘技术。我们建议国家、地方与企业统筹规划，各司其职，努力建设我国的激光雷达基础数据库。本文通过Stoker等（2008）介绍的第二届全美激光雷达战略研讨会上论述的激光雷达技术特点、激光雷达数据的科学需求与应用以及商业化运作问题，结合我国目前的激光雷达发展趋势、测绘数据需求以及土地利用变化监测等科学问题，简析激光雷达技术在我国的应用前景。

英文摘要：

Light Detection and Ranging （LiDAR） has been developed and applied quickly for the past ten years. The U.S. Geological Survey （USGS）, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration （NASA）, and the Association of American State Geologists （AASG） are discussing and proposing to build a national LiDAR database for the entire USA. China is in a period of fast urbanization and dramatic land use conversion in its eastern region, while a large portion of western China does not have topographic maps under rapid economic growth. The significant change in China＇s topography requires timely update and production of topographical maps. LiDAR is a most direct technique for real time, high accuracy acquisition of large scale 3D topographical data that are urgently needed at the national, regional and local scale. Through proper planning and assignment of various tasks involved, the national, local government agencies and private enterprises should join hands in constructing a national LiDAR database for China. This paper introduced the technical character of LiDAR, the scientific requirements and application of LiDAR data, commercial operating problem which were discussed in ＂Second LiDAR for the nation meeting＂ of USA. Combined with the developing trends of LiDAR, data requirements of surveying and mapping, land use change monitoring and other scientific problems in China at present, it analyzed the application prospects of LiDAR technology in China.