地理科学系统研究人类与自然（环境）间的相互关系和相互作用，从全球变化的高度进行研究，自全新世以来，把人类作为与各自然圈层的总和相对等的一个圈层。因此，在研究框架图式中，在IGBPⅡ图式之外，增加了一个人类圈，并以人类圈作为中心，表示人类圈与各自然圈层间的相互关系和相互作用。把中国地理科学系统研究与国际全球变化研究联接起来，使中国地理科学走向世界，这些就是地理科学系统理论的创新之处。在实践中，我们先对长江三角洲地区进行详细研究，拟出许多具体研究课题，提出研究时应遵循的一些原则。如图 2所示，根据地理科学系统理论研究长江三角洲，其最终目的就是对该地区可持续发展提供科学依据。但长江三角洲可持续发展已是一个独立的重大科研项目，已由中国科学院进行研究，故在此仅做简略评述。

Geographical science system deals with the study of interrelation and interaction between man and nature (environment). Owing to the importance of mankind in the Earth system changes since Holocene, a new sphere-Anthropo-sphere is added to physical spheres on the Earth in geographical science system and designated as the equivalent to the summation of all physical spheres. In the diagram (Fig.2), Anthropo-sphere is placed in the center and its interrelations with physical spheres are shown. This is an innovation point in the global change study. Moreover, the study of geographical science system is connected to the global change study in this way, facilitating Chinese geographical research work open to the world.
The Yangtze River Delta is designed as a region to test the validity of the theory of geographical science system and the guidelines for research are also suggested.
The ultimate aim of the study of geographical science system is to provide scientific basis for the sustainable development of the region. The key issues of the sustainable development of the Yangtze River Delta are highlighted.