地球系统科学是研究组成地球系统的子系统之间相互联系、相互作用的机制，研究地球整体结构、特征、功能和行为，研究地球系统变化的规律和控制这些变化机理的科学。对地观测、探测与分析技术的发展是地球科学创新思维来源的技术保障，同时对地球科学基础理论研究水平的提高起着重要的作用。21世纪地球科学的发展将更加重视发展地球系统科学的理论、方法与技术体系。“地球系统观测、探测新原理与新技术”被列入国家自然科学基金委员会地球科学部“十五”优先资助领域。回顾“十五”期间的资助情况，探讨该领域和地球系统科学的关系，将有利于“十一五”对该领域资助工作的调整与完善。

Earth system science is the science that deals with the interactions between and among subsystems, Earth's overall structure, characteristics and behavior, law and control mechanism of Earth system changes. The development of Earth observation, detection and analysis is the source of technical support of Earth sciences innovation. It plays an important role in raising the level of the basic theoretical research on Earth science. The development of Earth sciences in the 21st century will attach more importance to the development of Earth system science theories, methods and systems. New principles and technology on the analysis of Earth system were put forward as priority funding areas in Tenth Five-Year Plan period by the Department of Earth Sciences of NSFC. Reviewing funded situation in Tenth Five-Year Plan period and exploring the relationship between the area and earth system science will be conducive to adjusting and improving the work in this area in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan period.