AP Environmental Science

Unit 1 – The Living World: Ecosystems

Unit 2 – The Living World: Biodiversity

Unit 3 – Populations

Unit 4 – Earth Systems & Resources

Unit 5 – Land & Water Use

Unit 6 – Energy Resources & Consumption

Unit 7 – Atmospheric Pollution

Unit 8 – Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

Unit 9 – Global Change

Frequently Asked Questions

Previous Exam Prep

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Live Cram Sessions 2020

Teacher Professional Development

Study Tools

Exam Skills

Subject Guides

Learn about how excess nutrients can cause bad events in waterways. Nitrogen and phosphorus can invade aquatic ecosystems and take away all of their dissolved oxygen!

Unit 1 Overview: The Living World: Ecosystems

Ecosystem Ecology 

Introduction to Ecosystems

The First Law of Thermodynamics

The Second Law of Thermodynamics

The 10% Rule

Energy Flow and the 10% Rule

Energy Transfers in Ecosystems 🌱

Response to Disturbance 

Food Chains and Food Webs

Boreal Forest/Taiga

Temperate Rainforest 

Woodland/Shrubland 

Tropical Rainforest 

Tropical Seasonal Forest/Savanna 

Subtropical Desert 

Climate Biome Graph

Terrestrial Biomes

Aquatic Biomes

Carbon Cycle 🌋

Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle 🙌

The Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle 🌱

The Nitrogen Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle 🗻

The Phosphorous Cycle

The Water Cycle 🌧 

Human Impacts on the Water Cycle 🙌

The Hydrologic Cycle

Primary Productivity

The Trophic Levels

Trophic Levels

Unit 2 Overview: The Living World: Biodiversity

Forms of Biodiversity

Richness vs Evenness

Ecosystem Resistance and Resilience 

Introduction to Biodiversity

Ecosystem Services

What is the Island Biogeography Theory?

Invasives

Effects on Evolution

Island Biogeography

Vocabulary

Description

Ecological Tolerance

Change is a Constant

Resistance and Resilience

Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems

Adapt to the Surroundings

Reproductive Isolation

Adaptations

Succession Defined

Primary Succession

Secondary Succession

Fauna: A Part of Succession

Keystone Species

Indicator Species

Ecological Succession

⚡ Study Guide Breakdowns

⚡ Quick Study - Key Terms 

Unit 3 Overview: Populations

What does generalist and specialist mean? 

Characteristics of a Generalist Species 

Characteristics of a Specialist Species 

⚡ Checkpoint question 

Generalist and Specialist Species

Differential Reproductive Strategies 

Comparing K-Selected and R-Selected Species

K-Selected r-Selected Species

Survivorship Curves

Ecosystem Limitations

Carrying Capacity

Exponential Growth 

Logistic Growth

Population Growth and Resource Availability

Age Structure Diagrams

Infant Mortality Rate, Crude Rates

Emigration and Immigration 

Total Fertility Rate

Rule of 70

Limiting Factors on Population Growth

Population Formulas 

Human Population Dynamics

Demographic Transition Model

Demographic Transition

Big Ideas

Plate Tectonics

Soil Formation and Erosion

Earth’s Atmosphere

Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons

Earth’s Geography and Climate

El Niño and La Niña 

Unit 4 Overview: Earth Systems and Resources

Convergent Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries

Transform Boundaries

Plate Tectonics Map

Tectonic Plates

Soil Formation

Soil Horizons

Soil Erosion and Water Quality

Water-Holding Capacity and Retention 

Particle Sizes and Properties

Chemical, Physical, and Biological Properties of Soil

Soil Texture Triangle

Soil Composition and Properties

Major Gases

Layers of the Atmosphere

Earth's Atmosphere

Solar Radiation

Pressure and Wind Direction

Coriolis Effect

Global Wind Patterns

Characteristics of A Watershed

Watersheds

Seasons and Earth’s Tilt

Solar Radiation and Earth's Seasons

Factors That Influence Climate

Earth's Geography and Climate

El Niño

La Niña

Greater Environmental Impacts

El Niño and La Niña

Why Do I Need to Know These?

What Are The Required Pieces of Legislation?

Laws Involving the Disposal of Hazardous Wastes

Air & Water Protection

Biodiversity Protection

Commonly Confused International Protocols

Carcinogens

Unit 5 Overview: Land and Water Use

5.1: The Tragedy of the Commons 🎭


The Tragedy of the Commons

Impact to Natural Cycles

Urban Sprawl

Impacts of Urbanization

Human Impact

Calculating a Footprint

Individuals and Corporations

Ecological Footprints

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainable Yield

Intro to Sustainability

Impact

Mitigation 

Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff

Methods

Integrated Pest Management

Sustainability

Sustainable Agriculture

Benefits

Concerns

Aquaculture

Finding a Balance

Sustainable Forestry

Long Term Impact

Clearcutting

Solving Starvation

Impacts of Growth

The Green Revolution

Environmental Problems & Agricultural Practices

Impacts of Agricultural Practices

Spray Irrigation

Flood Irrigation

Furrow Irrigation

Drip Irrigation

Salinization

Irrigation Methods

Pesticides 

Pest Control Methods

Reasons for Change

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)

Free-range 

Overgrazing

Meat Production Methods

Management

Impacts of Overfishing

Techniques 

Mining Waste

Impacts of Mining

What is Energy? 💡

Kinetic Energy

Unit 6 Overview: Energy Resources and Consumption

Presentation Slides, Eutrophication

Presentation Slides, Eutrophication

AP Environmental Science ♻️

Resources

Fiveable

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

Fiveable

About Us

Resources