AP Environmental Science: Core Topics

What is the rule that describes the amount of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?

The 10% Rule, which states that only about 10% of the energy from one level is passed to the next, while the rest is lost as heat.

Which biome is characterized by permafrost, extremely low temperatures, and low-growing vegetation like mosses and lichens?

The Tundra biome.

What US federal law is designed to protect species at risk of extinction and the ecosystems upon which they depend?

The Endangered Species Act (ESA).

What term describes energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas that exist in finite amounts and cannot be easily replaced?

Nonrenewable energy resources.

What is the primary difference between a primary air pollutant and a secondary air pollutant?

Primary pollutants are emitted directly from a source, while secondary pollutants form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions between primary pollutants and other compounds.

What is the term for a single, identifiable source of pollution, such as a factory discharge pipe or a smoke stack?

Point source pollution.

In the nitrogen cycle, what is the process where specialized bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3)?

Nitrogen fixation.

According to the Theory of Island Biogeography, which two factors are the primary determinants of a habitat island's species richness?

The island's size (area) and its distance from the mainland.

During which stage of the Demographic Transition Model does a population experience rapid growth due to high birth rates and rapidly falling death rates?

Stage 2 (The Transitional Stage).

Which soil horizon is primarily composed of organic matter in various stages of decomposition, such as leaf litter and humus?

The O-horizon.