最近国际上蓬勃发展起来一个新交叉科学领域——无线传感器网络技术。本文首先介绍了无线传感器网络（Wireless Sensor Network,WSN）技术,它是遥感技术的拓展而且两者互为支撑。然后介绍了无线传感器网络技术的潜在应用领域及其在地学应用中的国际发展趋势,提出了无线传感器网络技术应用到环境领域的基本问题,建议在地球观测领域发展无线传感器网络技术。最后介绍了无线传感器网络技术在环境监测中的几个设想。

Wireless sensor network(WSN) is a new technology recently developed with great potential in large number of fields including earth observation,environmental monitoring,agriculture,resource management,public health,public security,transportation,and military.In this paper,the content and development of WSN technology are first introduced here.It is considered as an expansion of remote sensing and they support each other well.The potential of WSN in earth applications and its general trends are discussed and fundamental questions are raised.It is suggested that WSN should be highly developed in the field of earth observation.A few near-term applications of WSN in environmental monitoring are proposed.