AP Environmental Unit 5 MCQ

Tragedy of the Commons

Shared resources get overused when individuals act in self-interest, leading to depletion; solved by regulation, privatization, quotas, or permits.

Clearcutting

Removing all trees in an area at once; causes erosion, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and increased carbon emissions.

Selective Cutting

Harvesting only some trees; better for biodiversity and soil stability than clearcutting.

Strip Cutting

Cutting narrow rows of trees so the forest can regenerate; more sustainable than clearcutting.

Green Revolution

Increase in crop production using mechanization, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and high-yield varieties; boosts food but harms soil, water, and biodiversity.

Monocropping

Growing one crop on the same land repeatedly; efficient but increases pest risk, soil degradation, and fertilizer needs.

Tilling

Turning over soil for planting; increases erosion and releases stored carbon.

Slash and Burn Agriculture

Cutting and burning vegetation to clear land; provides short-term nutrients but leads to deforestation and air pollution.

Synthetic Fertilizers

Man-made nutrients that boost plant growth but cause runoff and eutrophication.

Eutrophication

Excess nutrients enter water → algal blooms → oxygen loss → aquatic life dies.

Pesticide Treadmill

Pests become resistant, requiring stronger or more frequent pesticides.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Uses biological, physical, and minimal chemical methods to control pests; reduces environmental impact.

Biological Pest Control

Using predators, parasites, or diseases to control pests naturally.

GMO Crops (Bt crops)

Genetically modified to resist pests; reduce pesticide use but may affect biodiversity.

Irrigation

Supplying crops with water; methods vary in efficiency and environmental impact.

Furrow Irrigation

Water flows through trenches; cheap but high evaporation and runoff.

Flood Irrigation

Water floods fields; easy but causes waterlogging and salinization.

Spray Irrigation

Sprinklers spray water; more efficient but uses energy.

Drip Irrigation

Tubes drip water directly to roots; most efficient but expensive.

Salinization

Salt buildup in soil from irrigation; harms plant growth.

Waterlogging

Excess water saturates soil and suffocates plant roots.

CAFOs

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations that maximize production but create waste, antibiotics use, and methane emissions.

Free-Range Grazing

Animals roam outdoors; more humane and less chemical use but requires more land.

Overgrazing

Animals eat vegetation faster than it can regrow; causes erosion and desertification.

Desertification

Degraded soil becomes desert-like due to overgrazing, deforestation, and poor farming practices.

Overfishing

Harvesting fish faster than populations can regenerate, leading to collapse and food web disruption.

Bycatch

Unintended capture of non-target species during fishing.

Mining

Extraction of minerals; causes habitat loss, erosion, and pollution.

Strip Mining

Removing surface layers to reach minerals; highly destructive.

Open-Pit Mining

Digging a large pit to access ore; creates large waste piles and habitat damage.

Mountaintop Removal

Blasting mountaintops for coal; destroys ecosystems and pollutes waterways.

Acid Mine Drainage

Sulfur in rocks reacts with water and air to form acidic runoff that harms streams.

Reclamation

Restoring mined land by recontouring, adding soil, and planting vegetation.

Urbanization

Growth of cities; increases pollution, impervious surfaces, and habitat fragmentation.

Impervious Surfaces

Pavement and buildings that prevent water infiltration; increase runoff and flooding.

Heat Island Effect

Urban areas are hotter due to buildings, pavement, and reduced vegetation.

Saltwater Intrusion

Overpumping of groundwater near coasts pulls saltwater into aquifers.

Ecological Footprint

Land and water area needed to support a person’s resource use and waste.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming methods that maintain soil, water, and biodiversity long-term.

No-Till Farming

Soil is not turned; reduces erosion and increases carbon storage.

Crop Rotation

Changing crops each season to maintain nutrients and reduce pests.

Cover Crops

Plants grown to protect soil, add nutrients, and reduce erosion.

Intercropping

Growing multiple crops together to improve soil health and prevent pests.

Agroforestry

Planting trees with crops to provide shade, windbreaks, and erosion control.

Terracing

Creating steps on slopes to reduce runoff and erosion.

Aquaculture

Raising fish in controlled systems; efficient but can spread disease and cause waste pollution.

Sustainable Forestry

Managing forests with selective cutting, replanting, and reduced fragmentation.

Green Infrastructure

Rain gardens, permeable pavement, and bioswales that reduce runoff and pollution.

Runoff Reduction Methods

Permeable surfaces, green roofs, street trees, rain barrels, and restored wetlands.