The broad dissemination of open data policies for Big Earth data leads to a diversification of users. The literacy in data and data handling differs for each user group, resulting in different needs and requirements. In addition, the development of cloud-based data systems challenges traditional workflows of all users. In order to tailor new cloud-based data systems for Earth data users, it is of utmost importance to obtain a better understanding of users in terms of the type of data they explore, the applications they need the data for, the way they access and process data, and the challenges they face. This is an indispensable prerequisite to ensure an increased uptake of Big Earth data in the future.

In order to get a better insight in the requirements and challenges of users coping with Big Earth data, we run a comprehensive web-based user survey. Our results, inclined to users of Big Earth data in Europe and the North American continent, reveal that a majority of survey respondents still download copies of data onto their local machine and handle and process data locally with a combination of programming and desktop-based software. However, survey respondents are facing severe problems related to the growing data volumes, the data heterogeneity and the limited processing capacities for their demanding applications. Thus, they show a specific interest in using cloud-based data services in the near future but express the need for an easier data discovery and the interoperability of data systems. Based on the survey findings, we draw a set of recommendations to make Big Earth data more FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and re-useable).

大地球数据开放数据政策的广泛传播导致了用户的多样化。每个用户组的数据和数据处理能力不同，导致不同的需求和要求。此外，基于云的数据系统的开发挑战了所有用户的传统工作流程。为了为地球数据用户量身定制新的基于云的数据系统，最重要的是在用户探索的数据类型、他们需要数据的应用程序、访问和访问方式方面更好地了解用户。处理数据，以及他们面临的挑战。这是确保未来更多地吸收大地球数据不可或缺的先决条件。

为了更好地了解用户处理地球大数据的要求和挑战，我们开展了一项基于网络的综合用户调查。我们的结果倾向于欧洲和北美大陆的大地球数据用户，表明大多数调查受访者仍然将数据副本下载到本地机器上，并结合编程和基于桌面的软件在本地处理和处理数据. 然而，调查受访者正面临着与不断增长的数据量、数据异构性以及其要求苛刻的应用程序的处理能力有限相关的严重问题。因此，他们对在不久的将来使用基于云的数据服务表现出特别的兴趣，但表示需要更容易的数据发现和数据系统的互操作性。根据调查结果，