Download AP Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science
Mid-Term Examination Study Guide 2011-2012
Part I Multiple Choice
The multiple choice section consists of 100 multiple-choice questions
that are designed to cover the breadth of your understanding of
environmental science.
You are not permitted to use a calculator on this exam!!
For success on the multiple-choice, review the following topics:
Intro to Environmental Science—Be familiar with the following
term and concepts:
? nonpoint vs. point sources of pollution
? biodegradability
? 1st law of energy
? 2nd law of energy—energy degraded to low-quality heat
? negative and positive feedback loops
? synergism
? definition of environmental science
? tragedy of the commons
? precautionary principle
Biogeochemical Cycles (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Carbon, Sulfur,
Hydrologic)
? for each cycle, know the major sources and sinks of the nutrient,
know the transformations of the chemicals throughout the cycles
including states of matter
? nitrogen cycle—know conversions of nitrogen and role of bacteria
in each step (nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation,
ammonification, denitrification)
? phosphorus cycle—limiting factor for plant growth
? carbon cycle—biotic (photosynthesis and respiration) and abiotic
portions of the cycle
? water cycle—evaporation and transpiration, runoff, and
groundwater recharge
? human alterations of the cycles—know ways that humans interfere
with each of the cycles and the environmental consequences
Soil Characteristics
? sand vs. silt vs. clay—infiltration, permeability, workability,
percolation, infiltration, particle size, soil texture classes
? soil profiles and soil horizons—know the generalized horizons in a
soil profile
? soil descriptions and biomes—know the description of each type of
soil--desert soil, rainforest soil, grassland soil, temperate
deciduous forest soil, pine forest soil
? fertilizers—what are the macronutrients in commercially available
fertilizers, what are the problems associated with the use of
fertilizers
? inorganic vs organic fertilizers—know the pros and cons of both
types
? methods to protect soils (soil erosion, soil fertility, soil salinization)
? leaching—what does leaching refer to? what problems can arise
as a result of nutrient leaching?
? pH – problems associated with high/low pH
? physical characteristics of soils such as soil texture class, waterholding capacity, infiltration rate
? chemical characteristics of soils such as pH, nitrate levels,
phosphate levels, cation exchange capacity, reserve acidity
? cation exchange capacity—be familiar with the process and how it
relates to soil fertility
? oxidation-reduction reactions in soil—know transformation of iron
in soil and implications for determining whether or not a soil is
frequently flooded
Principles of Ecology
? energy flows (one-way), nutrients cycle
? species interactions--commensalism; parasitism; mutualism;
predation; competition
? primary succession vs. secondary succession—primary
succession occurs in barren, rocky areas and secondary
succession occurs in places with soil
? net primary productivity— is usually reported as the energy output
of a specified area of producers over a given time
? NPP and ecosystems—overall NPP vs. average NPP
? introduced species and their effects on ecosystems
? role of species in ecosystems—native, nonnative, indicator,
keystone
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ecosystem structure—biotic vs. abiotic factors
limiting factors in ecosystems
carrying capacity
biotic potential
K-strategists vs. r-strategists
food chains and food webs; trophic levels and ecological efficiency
(generally 10%, energy is degraded to lower quality heat from
level to level)
implications of ecological efficiency for the human diet (eating
lower on the food chain produces greatest number of calories for
human consumption)
pyramids of energy, biomass, numbers
density-dependent and density-independent factors on population
growth
survival curves-early-loss, constant-loss, and late-loss
compare immature vs. mature ecosystems (species diversity,
NPP, efficiency of nutrient cycling, efficiency of photosynthesis,
ecological niches)
bioaccumulation and biomagnification
cultural eutrophication—know how it occurs and the major
nutrients involved, know methods used to remedy or prevent
cultural eutrophication and its side effects
maintaining biodiversity—what are the best long term methods to
prevent extinctions and preserve biodiversity
methods to assess biodiversity—species richness, biodiversity
indices
characteristics of threatened and endangered species
laws to protect species such as ESA, CITES, etc.
biomes—what factors determine biomes (climate, temperature,
precipitation)
Human Population Dynamics
? population demographics—more developed (MDCs) vs. less
developed countries (LDCs)
? population momentum of less developed nations—what are the
implications?
? environmental impacts of population growth
? demographic transition model—know what changes occurs to birth
and death rates in each stage of the model; know the factors that
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account for these changes; know when the greatest population
growth occurs
total fertility rate—what is TFR? what happens to TFR as a society
progresses through the demographic transition?
replacement level fertility—MDCs vs LDCs, what is the relationship
between RLF and other demographic indicators such as infant
mortality rate
population pyramids—know the general shape of pyramids for
rapid growth, slow growth, zero growth and negative growth; know
the growth rate ranges for each type of pyramid
know demographic indicators of overall health in a country or
region
know how economic growth is measured in a country
rule of 70 (70/rate = doubling time)
Rate of natural increase (RNI) % = (CBR-CDR)/ 10
be prepared to do simple calculations without a calculator!!
Pesticides and Pest Control
? know the following terms—parasite, vector, pathogenic organism,
host
? malaria and DDT
? classes of pesticides—know the major classes and characteristics
of each such as persistence in the environment and soil, ability to
biomagnify
? biological control of pests
? Integrated Pest Management
? LD 50
? pesticide treadmill—be able to identify illustrations of the pesticide
treadmill
Food Resources and Agriculture
? global fisheries—know the factors that impact the global fish catch
? global fisheries—be familiar with the pros and cons of various
fishing techniques such as trawling, use of drift nets, long lining,
purse seining and fish farming
? aquaculture—what are the pros and cons of farm-raised fish
? laws to protect marine species
? methods to minimize/prevent soil erosion
? methods to minimize/prevent/remediate soil salinization
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meat vs. grain production—what are ecological advantages and
disadvantage? what are the implications for human health/
types of agriculture—traditional-subsistence, traditional-intensive,
industrialized
major agricultural crops worldwide
factors that contribute to rise in world hunger
advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified crops
green revolution—what are the fundamental characteristics of the
green revolution in food resources
Part 2 Free-Response Questions
The free-response section emphasizes the application of
environmental principles in greater detail. Two free-response
questions are included in this section. You will take FRQs in class on
Monday, 1/23/12 and Tuesday, 1/24/12.