AP Environmental Science Cheat Sheet

Unit 1: Ecosystems

1.1 Introduction to Ecosystems

• Predator-prey relationship: Predator eats prey.
• Symbiotic Relationships:
  • Mutualism: Both benefit.
  • Commensalism: One benefits, other unaffected.
  • Parasitism: One benefits (parasite), other harmed (host).
• Competition: Occurs with limited resources, reduced by resource partitioning.

1.2 Terrestrial Biomes

• Defined by climate.
• Types: Taiga, Temperate rainforests, Deciduous forests, etc.
• Influences: Climate, geography, latitude, altitude, nutrients, soil.

1.3 Aquatic Biomes

• Freshwater: Vital for drinking water.
• Marine: Oceans, coral reefs, marshland.
• Factors: Salinity, depth, turbidity, temperature.

1.4-1.7 Biogeochemical Cycles

• Carbon Cycle: Reservoirs include plants, animals, fossil fuels.
• Nitrogen Cycle: Reservoirs include atmosphere, plants, animals.
• Phosphorus Cycle: Reservoirs in rocks, soil, water.
• Hydrologic Cycle: Reservoirs in oceans, ice caps, groundwater.

1.8-1.11 Energy and Productivity

• Primary Productivity: GPP vs. NPP.
• Trophic Levels & Energy Flow: 10% Rule and thermodynamics laws.
• Food Chains & Food Webs: Structure of ecosystems.

Unit 2: The Living World - Biodiversity

2.1 Introduction to Biodiversity

• Biodiversity includes genetic, species, habitat diversity.
• Importance of genetic diversity for adaptability.

2.2 Ecosystem Services

• Categories: Provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting.
• Disruptions from anthropogenic activities.

2.3-2.4 Island Biogeography & Ecological Tolerance

• Study of species distribution on islands.
• Ecological tolerance: Range of conditions organisms can endure.

2.5-2.7 Natural Disruptions, Adaptations, and Succession

• Natural disruptions: Can be as impactful as human-made ones.
• Adaptations occur via genetic changes over time.
• Ecological succession: Primary vs. secondary.

Unit 3: Populations

3.1 Generalist vs. Specialist Species

• Generalists: Adaptable to various environments.
• Specialists: Thrive in specific conditions.

3.2-3.3 K-selected vs. r-selected Species & Survivorship Curves

• K-selected: Low growth rate, stable environments.
• r-selected: High growth rate, variable environments.

3.4-3.9 Population Dynamics

• Carrying capacity and growth models.
• Total fertility rate and demographic transition theory.

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

4.1-4.9 Earth’s Structure and Processes

• Plate tectonics and soil formation.
• Atmospheric composition and global wind patterns.

Unit 5: Land & Water Use

5.1-5.17 Practices and Impacts

• Tragedy of the Commons: Overuse of shared resources.
• Irrigation Methods: Efficiency and impact on soil.
• Agricultural Practices: Including GMO, pesticide use.
• Urbanization: Effects on environment and resources.

Unit 6: Energy Resources & Consumption

6.1-6.13 Renewable vs. Nonrenewable

• Global energy consumption patterns.
• Fossil fuels: Formation, extraction, and combustion.
• Renewable energy: Types, benefits, and challenges.

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

7.1-7.8 Air, Indoor, and Noise Pollution

• Types of air pollutants and their sources.
• Effects of indoor pollutants and acid rain.
• Noise pollution and its impacts.

This cheat sheet covers a broad range of topics in environmental science, including ecosystems, biodiversity, population dynamics, earth systems, energy resources, and pollution. Each unit includes definitions, types, and impacts of different environmental phenomena, providing a comprehensive overview for students studying AP Environmental Science.