AP Environmental Science (APES) Exam Review - Units 1-5

Introduction

• Welcome to the Semester 1 APES Exam Review.
• Focus on Units 1 through 5.
• Strategies for students in different preparation stages:
  • Totally unprepared: Use the ultimate review packet free preview for a four-step exam prep plan.
  • Somewhat prepared: Focus on experimental design and math skills, and review your weakest units.
  • Well prepared: Conduct lowest unit reviews and practice based on low-scoring areas.

Unit 1: Ecosystems

• Carbon Cycle:
  • Direct exchange: CO2 dissolves into ocean water; increased atmospheric CO2 leads to ocean acidification.
  • Role of algae and phytoplankton in removing CO2.
  • Long-term carbon sequestering by organisms like coral and mollusks.
• Nitrogen Cycle:
  • Focus on nitrogen fixation by bacteria in soil and root nodules of legumes.
• Trophic Pyramid & 10% Rule:
  • Explains population sizes, smog impact on photosynthesis, biomagnification, and land required for meat production.
• Must-Know Vocabulary:
  • Competition, nutrient availability, carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation, primary productivity, energy transfer.

Unit 2: Biodiversity

• Resilience:
  • Ecosystems and populations with higher diversity are more resilient to disturbances.
• Ecosystem Services:
  • Connect ecosystem services to human benefits (e.g., provisioning resources, storm regulation).
• Keystone Species:
  • Have a large impact relative to their abundance; increase ecosystem stability.
• Must-Know Vocabulary:
  • Resilience, genetic/species/ecosystem diversity, ecosystem service, range of tolerance, adaptation.

Unit 3: Populations

• Biotic Potential:
  • Maximum growth rate of a species; higher in r-selected species.
• Logistic Growth:
  • Population growth slows as it reaches carrying capacity (K-strategists).
• Math Skills:
  • Calculate growth rate, doubling time using rule of 70.
• Demographic Transition Model:
  • Stages from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates in developed nations.
• Must-Know Vocabulary:
  • R and K-selected species, generalist/specialist, age cohorts, affluence, total fertility rate (TFR).

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

• Soil Characteristics:
  • Permeability, pore space, and their effects on groundwater contamination and landfills.
• Atmospheric Circulation:
  • Sun’s direct rays at the equator affect air density and circulation patterns (e.g., Hadley cells).
• Coriolis Effect:
  • Deflects winds due to Earth’s rotation; affects weather patterns.
• El Niño & La Niña:
  • Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns due to Pacific Ocean wind changes.
• Must-Know Vocabulary:
  • Soil texture, troposphere/stratosphere, trade winds, insulation, rain shadow effect, watershed.

Unit 5: Land and Water Use

• Clear Cutting:
  • Leads to soil erosion, increased temperatures, destabilized lands.
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):
  • Pros: Increased yields, pest resistance.
  • Cons: Decreased genetic diversity, potential ecological impact.
• Synthetic Fertilizer & Irrigation:
  • Increases yield but risks groundwater contamination and soil salinization.
• Urban Runoff:
  • Impermeable surfaces lead to increased runoff and potential water pollution.
• Must-Know Vocabulary:
  • Clear cutting, selective cutting, crop rotation, soil erosion, IPM, public transportation.

Exam Preparation

• Review units with lowest scores, focus on math and experimental design if stressed.
• Focus on improving areas of previous weakness and utilize practice exams.