叙述了地球空间信息学和数字地球的基本概念。讨论了地球空间信息学的形成、理论基础和技术体系,以及数字地球的关键技术和应用。分析了两者的相互关系,提出空间数据基础设施是数字地球的基本建设,发展数字地球为传统测绘行业带来了一个极好的发展机遇和一系列的挑战。

In this paper, the conception of Geo-Spatial Information Science (Geomatics) and Digital Earth are introduced. The formation, basic theory and technical system of Geomatics are discussed, and the key techniques and applications of Digital Earth are also discussed. After the relationship between them is analysed, we present that National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is the fundamental construction of Digital Earth. The development of Digital Earth brings opportunities and challenges for development of traditional surveying and mapping.