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Windermere Preparatory School Power Standards and Benchmarks AP Environmental Science High School (Grade 12) Last Revised: August 8, 2014 PS 1 1-­‐A 1-­‐B 1-­‐C PS 2 2-­‐A 2-­‐B 2-­‐C PS 3 3-­‐A 3-­‐B 3-­‐C PS 4 3-­‐D 4-­‐A 4-­‐B 4-­‐C 4-­‐D 4-­‐E 4-­‐F 4-­‐G Understand that the Earth and atmosphere are interconnected systems that have been changing over time. Describe the geologic time scale, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, seasons, solar intensity, and latitude. Define atmospheric circulation, the Coriolis Effect, atmosphere–ocean interactions, and ENSO. Explain natural ecosystem change (Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession). Explain that the Earth has a fixed amount of chemical elements that cycle throughout its ecosystems. Describe soil and soil dynamics (Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil types; erosion and other soil problems; soil conservation). Diagram the natural biogeochemical cycles (Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, and conservation of matter). Explain energy flow (Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids). Understand that ecosystems consist of complex interconnected relationships. Describe ecosystem structure (Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes). Define ecosystem diversity (Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services). Describe several population biology concepts (Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship). Explain strategies for sustainable population size (case studies; national policies). Explain how human populations have impacted local and global environments. Describe human population dynamics (Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times; demographic transition; age-­‐
structure diagrams). Examine the impacts of population growth (Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction). Identify the issues with feeding a growing population (Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture). Suggest mechanisms for controlling pests (Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management; relevant laws). Describe urban land development (Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization). Discuss Global Warming (Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming; reducing climate change; relevant laws and treaties). Define Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species. Windermere Preparatory School Power Standards and Benchmarks AP Environmental Science High School (Grade 12) Last Revised: August 8, 2014 PS 5 5-­‐A 5-­‐B 5-­‐C 5-­‐D 5-­‐E 5-­‐F 5-­‐G 5-­‐H 5-­‐I 5-­‐J 5-­‐K 5-­‐L 5-­‐M 5-­‐N 5-­‐O 5-­‐P 5-­‐Q 5-­‐R Explain that the Earth does not have an infinite number of resources. Explain how human consumption impacts these resources. Describe global water resources and Use (Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic use; surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation). Describe modern forestry (Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests) Define the current problems with rangelands (Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands). Describe transportation infrastructure (Federal highway system; canals and channels; roadless areas; ecosystem impacts). Explain the characteristics of public and federal lands (Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands). Describe various land conservation options (Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration). Explain the effects of mining on various ecosystems (Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties). Explain the effects of various fishing techniques (overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties). Describe global economics in terms of environmental impact (Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties). Describe current fossil fuel resources and uses (Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods; world reserves and global demand; synfuels; environmental advantages/ disadvantages of sources). Explain the positive and negative effects of nuclear energy (Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation and human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion). Explain the positive and negative effects of hydroelectric power (Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts). Explain the positive and negative effects of renewable energy (Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-­‐scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages). Describe various types of air pollution (Sources—primary and secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid deposition—causes and effects; heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution; remediation and reduction strategies; Clean Air Act and other relevant laws). Describe various types of noise pollution (Sources; effects; control measures). Explain the causes and effects of water pollution (Types; sources, causes, and effects; cultural eutrophication; ground-­‐ water pollution; maintaining water quality; water purification; sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Act and other relevant laws). Define solid waste (Types; disposal; reduction). Describe various types of hazards to human health (Environmental risk analysis; Windermere Preparatory School Power Standards and Benchmarks AP Environmental Science High School (Grade 12) Last Revised: August 8, 2014 5-­‐S PS 6 6-­‐A PS 7 7-­‐A 7-­‐B 7-­‐C acute and chronic effects; dose-­‐response relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other risks). List and describe various types of hazardous chemicals in the environment (Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification; relevant laws). Understand that the ozone naturally filters the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Explain the significance of stratospheric Ozone (Formation of stratospheric ozone; ultraviolet radiation; causes of ozone depletion; effects of ozone depletion; strategies for reducing ozone depletion; relevant laws and treaties). Recognize how society has applied science and technology to current global issues. Describe energy concepts (Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics). Explain the trends in energy consumption (history – Industrial revolution, present global use, future energy needs. Suggest various methods of energy conservation (Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit).