AP Environmental Science Unit 1 Review

Introduction

• Instructor: Mr. Smeeds
• Purpose: Study for AP Environmental Science (APES) exams
• Key Resource: Unit 1 Ultimate Review Packet (includes study guides, practice questions, and exams)
• Critical Skills: FRQ writing practice

Key Concepts

Ecosystems

• Definition: Interaction of living and non-living things in a specific region.
• Environment vs. Ecosystem: Environment is the entire natural world; an ecosystem is a part of the environment.
• Habitat: Specific environmental conditions a species needs to survive.
• Species Interactions:
  • Competition: Fighting over shared resources.
  • Symbiosis: Close proximity living, includes mutualism but not limited to it.
  • Mutualism: Both species benefit (e.g., bees and plants).

Biomes

• Definition: Regions with consistent yearly temperature and precipitation patterns.
• Examples: Tropical rainforest, tundra.
• Aquatic Biomes:
  • Influenced by salinity, flow, and depth.
  • Estuaries with unique brackish waters.

Biogeochemical Cycles

• Law of Conservation of Matter: Matter changes forms; not created/destroyed.
• Carbon Cycle:
  • Sources return carbon to the atmosphere; sinks remove it.
  • Key steps: Photosynthesis, respiration, extraction, and combustion.
• Nitrogen Cycle:
  • Fast cycling; atmospheric nitrogen is biologically unavailable.
  • Nitrogen fixation is critical for converting nitrogen into usable forms.
• Phosphorus Cycle:
  • No gas phase; slow cycling.
  • Major reservoirs are rocks and sediments.
• Water Cycle:
  • Driven by solar energy.
  • Key processes: Evaporation, condensation, infiltration, transpiration.

Energy Flow

• Primary Productivity: Rate of photosynthesis in an area.
  • Gross vs. Net Productivity: Gross is total energy; net is energy stored after respiration.
  • Equation: NPP = GPP - Respiration Loss
• Trophic Pyramids:
  • Energy flow from producers to tertiary consumers.
  • 10% Rule: Only 10% of energy is transferred to the next level.

Food Webs and Chains

• Arrows: Represent the movement of energy and matter.
• Trophic Cascades: Changes at one level affect the entire ecosystem.

Study Tips

• Review Packet: Essential for mastering Unit 1 concepts.
• Practice Questions: Available for deeper understanding.
• In-depth Reviews: Available on Mr. Smeeds' YouTube channel.

Conclusion

• Mastery of these concepts is key for success in APES exams.
• Utilize provided resources and practice consistently.

Remember: Think like a mountain, write like a scholar!