AP Environmental Science Review

Chapter 1: Introduction to Environmental Science

• Understanding the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science
• The importance of sustainability
  • Definition of sustainability: meeting present needs without compromising future generations
• Key Environmental Issues:
  • Climate change
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Pollution
  • Resource depletion

Chapter 2: Ecosystems and Energy

• Components of ecosystems
  • Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors
• Energy flow in ecosystems
  • Food chains and food webs
  • Trophic levels
  • 10% rule of energy transfer
• Types of ecosystems
  • Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts
  • Aquatic ecosystems: freshwater and marine

Chapter 3: Biodiversity and Evolution

• Importance of biodiversity
  • Ecosystem services, economic benefits, and cultural values
• Mechanisms of evolution
  • Natural selection and genetic drift
• Threats to biodiversity
  • Habitat destruction, invasive species, climate change

Chapter 4: Population Dynamics

• Human population growth trends
  • Historical growth patterns and projections
• Factors affecting population size
  • Birth rates, death rates, immigration, emigration
• Carrying capacity and ecological footprints
• Impact of population growth on the environment

Chapter 5: Land Use and Sustainability

• Types of land use
  • Urbanization, agriculture, forestry, and mining
• Sustainable land management practices
  • Agroecology, sustainable forestry, and urban planning
• Impact of land use changes on ecosystems
  • Deforestation and habitat fragmentation

Key Terms to Know:

• Sustainability
• Ecosystem
• Biodiversity
• Trophic levels
• Carrying capacity
• Ecological footprint
• Urbanization

Review Questions:

1. What are the key elements of sustainability?
2. Explain the flow of energy in an ecosystem.
3. Discuss the importance of biodiversity and the factors that threaten it.
4. How do human activities influence population dynamics?
5. What sustainable practices can be implemented in land use?