AP Environmental Science Unit 1 Review

Introduction

Presenter: Mr. Smees
Focus: Prepare for AP Environmental Science exams
Key Resources:
- Unit 1 Ultimate Review Packet: Study guides, practice questions, two full-length exams
- Emphasis: FRQ writing
- Additional Resources: In-depth video reviews on YouTube

Ecosystem: Interaction of living and non-living things in a region
Environment: Entire natural world
Habitat: Environmental conditions necessary for a species
Species Interactions:
- Competition: Organisms fighting over resources
- Symbiosis vs. Mutualism:
  - Symbiosis: Close living relationships
  - Mutualism: Both species benefit

Definition: Region with consistent yearly average temperature and precipitation
Types:
- Tropical Rainforest: High temperature and precipitation
- Tundra: Low temperature and precipitation
Biomes Change: Biome locations shift with temperature and precipitation changes
Important Factors:
- Aquatic Biomes: Salinity, flow, depth
- Estuaries: Unique salinity levels, high nutrient productivity

Law of Conservation of Matter: Matter is never created or destroyed
Carbon Cycle:
- Sources: Return carbon to atmosphere
- Sinks: Remove carbon from atmosphere
- Key Processes: Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion
Nitrogen Cycle:
- Fast Cycling
- Nitrogen Fixation: Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms
- Important Role of Bacteria and Human Activity
Phosphorus Cycle:
- No Gas Phase
- Cycles Through Weathering and Erosion
- Limiting Nutrient
Water Cycle:
- Sun-driven
- Key Processes: Evaporation, condensation, infiltration, transpiration

Primary Productivity:
- Rate of Photosynthesis
- Gross vs. Net Primary Productivity
- Equation: NPP = GPP - Respiration Loss
Trophic Pyramids:
- Energy Transfer: 10% Rule from one level to the next
- Implication of Energy Loss: Apex predators require more space