AP Environmental Science Cheat Sheet

Flashcards from AP Environmental Science Cheat Sheet

Predator: __

organism that eats another organism

Prey: __

organism eaten by prey

Symbiosis: __

relationship between two species in an ecosystem

Mutualism: __

both benefit

Commensalism: __

one benefits/other isn’t affected

Parasitism: __

one benefits (parasite)/other is harmed (host)

Competition__

occurs when resources are limited

Biome: __

area with characteristic plants & animals

Carbon Cycle Reservoirs:__

plants, animals, fossil fuels, atmosphere

Nitrogen Cycle Reservoirs: __

atmosphere, plants, animals

Phosphorus Cycle Reservoirs: __

rocks, soil, water, plants

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle Reservoirs: __

oceans, ice caps, groundwater

GPP (Gross Primary Productivity): __

TOTAL rate of photosynthesis in an area

NPP (Net Primary Productivity): __

GPP - Respiration

Biodiversity: __

variety of different species

Species: __

set of individuals who can mate and produce fertile offspring

Species richness__

number of different species found in an ecosystem

Regionally extinct__

In areas a species is normally found

Functionally extinct__

To the point at which species can no longer play a functional role in the ecosystem

Ecological tolerance__

range of conditions, such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, and sunlight that an organism can endure before injury or death results

A keystone species__

a species whose activities have a particularly significant role in determining community structure

An indicator species__

a plant or animal that, by its presence, abundance, scarcity, or chemical composition, demonstrates that some distinctive aspect of the character or quality of an ecosystem is present

Generalists __

can live in a variety of habitats or feed on a variety of species

Specialists __

are specialized to live in a specific habitat or feed on a small group of species

K-Selected Species __

have a low intrinsic growth rate and their abundance is determined by the carrying capacity of the environment

r-Selected Species __

have a high intrinsic growth rate and do not remain near their carrying capacity, but exhibit cycles of overshoots and die-offs

Age structure diagrams __

visual aids that show the distribution of males and females in each age group

Total fertility rate (TFR) __

an estimated of the average number of children that each woman in a population will bear throughout her reproductive years

Replacement-level fertility __

is the TFR required to offset the average number of deaths in a population so that the current population size remains stable

Infant mortality rate __

is the number of babies out of every 1,000 born who die before their first birthday; availability of prenatal care is an important predictor of infant mortality

Doubling time __

number of years it takes for a population to double, assuming the growth rate is constant.

The theory of demographic transition __

state that as a country moves from a subsistence economy to industrialization and increased affluence, it undergoesa predictable shift in population

The Tragedy of the Commons __

individuals use shared resources selfishly resulting in depleted resources

The Green Revolution __

use of mechanization, GMOs, fertilization, irrigation, pesticides to INCREASE food production

Waterlogging __

excess water in soil, raises water table, inhibits plant root absorption of O2

Salinization__

salts in groundwater remain in soil after water evaporates causing soil to become toxic to plants

Aquifers: __

underground freshwater reservoirs

CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) __

produces large amounts of food fast but have crowded conditions and produce large amounts of waste

Urban sprawl__

change in population distribution from cities to suburbs

Sustainability__

using resources in ways that don’t deplete amounts available for future use

Sustainable yield__

amount of a renewable resource that can be taken without reducing available supply

Integrated Pest Management__

pest control methods that minimize environmental damage

Aquaculture__

fish and aquatic plants farming

Prescribed burns __

controlled fires in forests to reduce occurrence of natural fires

__ is partially decomposed organic material that can be burned for fuel.

partially decomposed organic material that can be burned for fuel

Nuclear power generation __

is considered a cleaner energy source because it does not produce air pollutants, but it does release thermal pollution and hazardous solid waste

Hydrogen fuel cells use __

hydrogen as fuel, combining the hydrogen and oxygen in the air to form water and release energy (electricity) in the process.

Wind turbines __

use the kinetic energy of moving air to spin a turbine, which in turn converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into electricity.

Biomass __

renewable energy includes biofuels, wood and charcoal and while very effective and renewable they are depletable

Air pollution is __

the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, and materials such as buildings, or to alter ecosystems

Smog is a __

mixture of oxidants and particulate matter

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are __

organic compounds that become vapors at typical atmospheric temperatures

Secondary pollutants are __

primary pollutants that have undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, H2O, O2, or other compounds

A thermal inversion occurs when __

a relatively warm layer of air at mid-altitude covers a layer of cold, dense air below

Noise pollution __

is caused by unnecessary sounds that commonly travel through the air