AP Environmental Science Review

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Trophic levels

The levels in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Ecological footprint

The measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems and the amount of natural capital used.

Urbanization

The process of making an area more urban or city-like, often involving population shifts to cities.

What is the definition of sustainability?

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.

Explain the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

Energy flows through ecosystems via food chains and food webs, with energy transfer occurring across trophic levels.

What are the importance and threats to biodiversity?

Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem services, economic benefits, and cultural values; it is threatened by habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change.

How do human activities influence population dynamics?

Human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and resource consumption affect birth and death rates, immigration, and ultimately influence population growth and ecological footprints.

What sustainable practices can be implemented in land use?

Sustainable land management practices include agroecology, sustainable forestry, and urban planning aimed at minimizing environmental impact.