AP Environmental Science Test Review

Flashcards for AP Environmental Science formulas and laws.

Percent Change

(new value – old value) / old value X 100

Doubling time of a population

Number of years to double = 70/annual percentage growth rate

Annual rate of population change

(birth rate – death rate) / 10

Efficiency

energy in/energy out

Net Primary Productivity

Gross Primary Productivity – Respiration

Clean Air Act

1990 (1970 originally), reduce outdoor (ambient) concentrations of six criterion air pollutants that are harmful to human health or the environment

Clean Water Act

1972, Basis for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulates disposal of pollutants/ give authority to EPA to set limits on an industry-wide basis regarding protection of water

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation Liability Act

1980, (Known as Superfund) Allows EPA to respond to releases of hazardous substances that endanger health/environment. Also enables EPA to force parties to clean up material/reimburse the Superfund.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

1973, International agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade is specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Endangered Species Act

1973, Provide conservation for species that are endangered or threatened, a "species" is considered endangered if- it is in danger of extinction throughout a significant portion of its range or threatened- if it is likely to become an endangered species in the future

Kyoto Protocol

1997, International treaty that sets binding obligations on industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases

Montreal Protocol

1987, International treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that damage the ozone

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Prohibits the Food and Drug Administration from approving food additives that cause cancer in humans or animals.

Safe Drinking Water Act

1974, Protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply, allows EPA to set national health-based standards for drinking water