Error problems and slow-computational-speed problems are two critical challenges currently facing Geographical Information Systems (GISs). The error problem makes GISs useless for their special applications where high accuracy is required. The slow-computational-speed problem makes real-time visualization and dynamical simulation in three dimensions difficult to be realized.

Prof. YUE Tianxiang, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy Sciences, in his book "Surface Modeling: High Accuracy and High Speed Methods" put forward solutions to these problems which have long troubled GIS, by developing high accuracy and high speed methods for surface modeling.

This book develops several high accuracy and speed methods (HAHSM) for surface modeling, by which environmental components of earth surface are simulated, such as digital terrain model, changes of ecosystems and their services as well as driving forces of the changes. The book also examines big-error problem and slow-efficiency problem which are two critical challenges currently facing geographical information system (GIS) and computer-aided design (CAD).

This book will be helpful for people involved in geographical information science, ecological informatics, landscape ecology, geography, computer-aided design, global earth observation, and planetary surface modeling.