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