The Earth (land) surface processes are very complex. The current status of the study of the land surface processes is reviewed, and some concepts and connotations are discussed. Based on the analysis of the study focused on single-factor and on multifactor Earth surface processes, respectively, the characteristics of the study of the Earth surface processes are discussed from integration of research content, international cooperation of multinational, regional characteristics  focusing on outstanding problems in the area, the dynamics of the core of the earth surface processes change, and the diversity of research methods. The overall prospects of the study of the Earth surface process are summarized,  includeing that  the studies of the Earth surface processes will be the focus and hot topics of future study of Earth system science, the studies of key processes controlling climate change are the important issue of study of the Earth surface processes, the studies of the interfaces between different components within the Earth surface system are the important entry points, the coupling study of natural processes and human processes will be important direction, advanced technology and facilities have increasingly prominent supporting role, and networking and cross-integration research will be more important organizing mode in the study of earth surface processes. The opportunities of the studies on the Earth surface processes in China  are pointed out from the international scientific research trends, national needs, information and technologies. The challenges facing the study of the Earth surface processes are discussed  from  cross study of multidisciplinary, quantities and coupling study of natural and human processes, theory and method of earth surface systems study, three-dimensional observation-data assimilation-model simulation-decision support integration.