Ecosystem concepts, biogeochemical cycles, pollution, and resource terms tested on AP Env Sci.
45 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- In an ecosystem, which trophic level contains the most total energy?
- Producers (plants) - approximately 100% of available energy starts here before being transferred to consumers
- About what percentage of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
- Approximately 10% - the rest is lost as heat and through cellular respiration
- What term describes the variety of different species in an ecosystem?
- Biodiversity or species diversity
- The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely is called the ____.
- carrying capacity
- What is ecological succession?
- The gradual change in species composition of a community over time following a disturbance or in a new environment
- Primary succession begins in an area with ____ or previous community.
- no soil
- Secondary succession occurs in an area that ____ from a previous community.
- already has soil
- In the carbon cycle, which process releases carbon dioxide from organisms back to the atmosphere?
- Cellular respiration (also combustion and decomposition)
- Plants take in carbon from the atmosphere as ____ during photosynthesis.
- carbon dioxide (CO2)
- What process converts ammonia into nitrate in the nitrogen cycle?
- Nitrification
- What is eutrophication?
- Excessive nutrient (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) enrichment of a water body, leading to algal blooms and dead zones
- Which biome experiences the highest biodiversity and receives the most rainfall?
- Tropical rainforest
- A resource that can be replenished on a human timescale is called ____}.
- renewable
- What is sustainable development?
- Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- What is photochemical smog?
- Air pollution formed when sunlight reacts with vehicle exhaust and other emissions, creating ground-level ozone and other harmful compounds