AP Environmental Science Comprehensive Study Guide

Geologic Time Scale

Chronological timeline of Earth's geological history.

Ecosystems

Complex networks of interacting organisms and environments.

Energy Flow

Transfer of energy through food chains and webs.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of ecosystems within a specific area.

Population Dynamics

Study of how populations change over time.

Agriculture

Cultivation of plants and livestock for food production.

Forestry

Management of forests for timber and conservation.

Rangelands

Grasslands used for grazing livestock.

Mining

Extraction of minerals and resources from the Earth.

Fishing

Harvesting aquatic organisms for food or trade.

Global Economics

Study of economic systems on a worldwide scale.

Types of Pollution

Different forms of environmental contamination affecting ecosystems.

Energy Concepts

Fundamental principles governing energy use and conservation.

Environmental Health

Impact of environmental factors on human health.

Toxicology

Study of harmful effects of substances on living organisms.

Sustainable Cities

Urban areas designed for long-term ecological balance.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns.

Water Pollution

Contamination of water bodies affecting ecosystems and health.

Hazardous Waste

Waste posing substantial or potential threats to public health.

Environmental Worldviews

Perspectives on humanity's relationship with the environment.

Sustainable Practices

Methods that meet current needs without compromising future generations.

Nutrient Cycles

Movement of nutrients through ecosystems.

Human Population

Study of human demographics and their impacts on the environment.

APES Exam

Advanced Placement Environmental Science assessment.

Global Change

Significant alterations in global environmental conditions.

Nonrenewable Energy

Energy from finite resources like fossil fuels.

Solid Waste

Non-liquid waste materials generated by human activity.

Environmental Geology

Study of geological processes and their impact on the environment.

Economics and Environment

Relationship between economic activities and environmental health.

Pests

Organisms that cause damage to crops or human health.

Laws and Treaties

Regulations governing environmental protection and resource use.

Critical Thinking

Objective analysis and evaluation of issues to form judgment.

Aquatic Ecology

Study of ecosystems in water environments.

Sustainable Energy

Energy practices that meet current needs without compromising future.

Air Pollutants

Substances in the air that can harm human health.

Plate Tectonics

Movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.

ENSO

El Niño-Southern Oscillation; climate pattern affecting weather.

Freshwater Resources

Water with low salt concentration, essential for life.

Ocean Circulation

Movement of ocean water driven by wind and temperature.

Soil Composition

Minerals, organic matter, water, and air in soil.

Ecosystem Structure

Organization of biological communities and populations.

Trophic Levels

Hierarchical levels in food chains and webs.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Demographic Transition

Model describing population change over time.

Integrated Pest Management

Combines biological, cultural, and chemical practices for pest control.

Urbanization

Increase in population living in urban areas.

Rangeland Management

Sustainable practices for grazing lands.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting of atomic nuclei to release energy.

Energy Efficiency

Using less energy to provide the same service.

Pollution Types

Various categories of environmental contamination.

Primary Pollutants

Directly emitted pollutants from sources.

Secondary Pollutants

Formed by reactions in the atmosphere.

Major Air Pollutants

Includes CO, NOx, SO2, PM, and O3.

Acid Deposition

Acidic rain caused by pollutants.

Heat Islands

Urban areas warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Clean Air Act

U.S. law regulating air quality standards.

Cultural Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment causing excessive plant growth.

Groundwater Pollution

Contamination of underground water sources.

Water Purification

Processes to remove contaminants from water.

Sewage Treatment

Processes to treat wastewater before release.

Environmental Risk Analysis

Assessment of potential environmental hazards.

Dose Response Relationships

Correlation between exposure and effect severity.

Biomagnification

Increase in concentration of toxins in food chains.

Greenhouse Effect

Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

Loss of Biodiversity

Decline in variety of life forms.

Pangaea

Supercontinent existing during the late Paleozoic.

Holocene Epoch

Current geological epoch, began 0.01 million years ago.

Cenozoic Era

Current geological era, began 66 million years ago.

Proterozoic Eon

Time before abundant complex life, 2.5 billion years ago.

Archean Eon

Earliest geological eon, Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago.

Core

Earth's innermost layer, solid inner and molten outer.

Mantle

Layer of solid rock, includes flowing asthenosphere.

Lithosphere

Crust and upper mantle, divided into tectonic plates.

Tectonic Plates

Large sections of lithosphere that move.

Convergent Boundary

Where two tectonic plates push toward each other.

Divergent Boundary

Where two tectonic plates move away from each other.

Transform Fault Boundary

Where two plates slide past each other.

Active Volcano

Currently erupting or has erupted historically.

Dormant Volcano

Has not erupted in recorded history.

Extinct Volcano

Will never erupt again.

Rift Volcano

Formed where tectonic plates move apart.

Subduction Volcano

Formed where one plate slides over another.

Hot Spot Volcano

Volcanoes formed where magma rises to surface.

Focus

Location inside Earth where an earthquake begins.

Epicenter

Point on surface directly above earthquake focus.

Seismograph

Instrument measuring earthquake magnitude.

Sedimentary Rock

Formed from compressed sediments, e.g., limestone.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock transformed by heat and pressure, e.g., slate.

Igneous Rock

Formed from molten rock cooling, e.g., basalt.

Climate

Long-term weather patterns in a specific area.

Watershed

Area where water drains into a specific stream.

Delta

Deposited sediments where rivers meet the ocean.

Estuary

Where freshwater and saltwater mix, rich in biodiversity.

Groundwater

Water stored underground in aquifers or wells.

Soil Fertility

Soil's capacity to supply essential nutrients.

Soil Porosity

Volume of pore spaces in soil.

Infiltration

Process of water entering soil.

Plasticity

Soil's ability to expand and contract.

Compressibility

Soil's tendency to decrease in volume.

Erodibility

Ease of soil removal by wind or water.