AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Endangered Species

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Endangered Species, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify one key goal of the Endangered Species Act.

Answer: Recover endangered species to healthy populations. Mandates recovery plans and critical habitat designation for listed species.

Flashcard 2: Identify the term: species found only in one geographic location.

Answer: Endemic species. High vulnerability due to limited geographic range and habitat specificity.

Flashcard 3: Identify one key goal of the Endangered Species Act.

Answer: Recover endangered species to healthy populations. Mandates recovery plans and critical habitat designation for listed species.

Flashcard 4: Identify one effect of invasive species on endangered species.

Answer: Competition for resources. Invasive species outcompete natives for food, space, and other resources.

Flashcard 5: What is one effect of poaching on endangered species?

Answer: Population decline. Illegal hunting reduces breeding individuals and disrupts population structure.

Flashcard 6: What percentage of species are currently threatened with extinction?

Answer: Approximately 28%. Global assessment showing accelerating biodiversity loss across all ecosystems.

Flashcard 7: Name one international agreement aimed at protecting biodiversity.

Answer: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Global treaty promoting conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.

Flashcard 8: What is one way to measure the success of a conservation program?

Answer: Population increase of target species. Population growth indicates improved survival and reproductive success.

Flashcard 9: What is the definition of an endangered species?

Answer: A species at risk of extinction due to declining numbers. Legal classification based on population decline and extinction risk assessment.

Flashcard 10: Identify one impact of pollution on endangered species.

Answer: Contaminated habitats. Toxic substances poison species directly or accumulate in food chains.

Flashcard 11: What is the primary legislation for protecting endangered species in the USA?

Answer: Endangered Species Act of 1973. Federal law providing legal protection for threatened and endangered species.

Flashcard 12: What is 'in situ' conservation?

Answer: Conservation within natural habitats. Protected areas and reserves preserving species within their natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 13: List one example of an endangered species.

Answer: Amur Leopard. Critically endangered with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild.

Flashcard 14: Identify one method to raise public awareness about endangered species.

Answer: Education campaigns. Public education increases support for conservation policies and funding.

Flashcard 15: Identify one method to raise public awareness about endangered species.

Answer: Education campaigns. Public education increases support for conservation policies and funding.

Flashcard 16: What is 'ex situ' conservation?

Answer: Conservation outside natural habitats. Zoos, aquariums, and seed banks maintaining species outside natural environments.

Flashcard 17: Which organization maintains the Red List of Threatened Species?

Answer: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Global authority that assesses species' conservation status worldwide.

Flashcard 18: What is one consequence of habitat fragmentation?

Answer: Isolated populations. Prevents gene flow and increases extinction risk for small populations.

Flashcard 19: What is the definition of an endangered species?

Answer: A species at risk of extinction due to declining numbers. Legal classification based on population decline and extinction risk assessment.

Flashcard 20: Name one method used to protect endangered species' habitats.

Answer: Creating protected areas. Provides secure habitat free from human disturbance and exploitation.

Flashcard 21: What is one effect of poaching on endangered species?

Answer: Population decline. Illegal hunting reduces breeding individuals and disrupts population structure.

Flashcard 22: Which species is NOT endangered: blue whale, house sparrow, Javan rhinoceros?

Answer: House sparrow. Common urban species with stable, widespread populations globally.

Flashcard 23: Which human activity is a significant threat to marine species?

Answer: Overfishing. Depletes fish populations faster than they can naturally reproduce.

Flashcard 24: What is the role of wildlife corridors in conservation?

Answer: Connect fragmented habitats. Allows species movement and gene flow between isolated habitat patches.

Flashcard 25: What is one criterion for a species to be classified as 'endangered'?

Answer: Population decline of 50% over 10 years. IUCN criteria based on population trends and habitat loss rates.

Flashcard 26: Which conservation status indicates the highest risk of extinction?

Answer: Critically Endangered. IUCN's highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

Flashcard 27: Identify the main purpose of captive breeding programs.

Answer: Increase population of endangered species. Controlled breeding to maintain genetic diversity and boost wild populations.

Flashcard 28: What is meant by 'species recovery plan'?

Answer: Plan to restore species to sustainable levels. Detailed strategy outlining specific actions needed for population recovery.

Flashcard 29: What is 'keystone species' in an ecosystem?

Answer: Species with a critical role affecting many others. Disproportionate ecological impact relative to their abundance in ecosystems.

Flashcard 30: What does the acronym CITES stand for?

Answer: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. International treaty regulating trade in wildlife and wildlife products.

Flashcard 31: What role do NGOs play in species conservation?

Answer: Advocacy, research, and funding. Non-governmental organizations mobilize resources and expertise for conservation.

Flashcard 32: What is 'keystone species' in an ecosystem?

Answer: Species with a critical role affecting many others. Disproportionate ecological impact relative to their abundance in ecosystems.

Flashcard 33: Which species is NOT endangered: blue whale, house sparrow, Javan rhinoceros?

Answer: House sparrow. Common urban species with stable, widespread populations globally.

Flashcard 34: What is genetic diversity and why is it important?

Answer: Variation within species; crucial for adaptation. Low genetic diversity reduces species' ability to survive environmental changes.

Flashcard 35: What is a flagship species in conservation?

Answer: Species that represents an environmental cause. Charismatic species that generates public support for conservation efforts.

Flashcard 36: What role do zoos play in conservation of endangered species?

Answer: Breeding programs and education. Ex situ conservation maintaining genetic diversity for potential reintroduction.

Flashcard 37: Identify one key factor leading to species endangerment.

Answer: Habitat destruction. Primary cause of species loss, accounting for over 80% of threats globally.

Flashcard 38: Identify the term: species found only in one geographic location.

Answer: Endemic species. High vulnerability due to limited geographic range and habitat specificity.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of wildlife corridors in conservation?

Answer: Connect fragmented habitats. Allows species movement and gene flow between isolated habitat patches.

Flashcard 40: What is one way to measure the success of a conservation program?

Answer: Population increase of target species. Population growth indicates improved survival and reproductive success.

Flashcard 41: List one example of an endangered species.

Answer: Amur Leopard. Critically endangered with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild.

Flashcard 42: What term describes the legal protection of species through legislation?

Answer: Species protection laws. Legal frameworks providing formal protection from exploitation and habitat loss.

Flashcard 43: What term describes the legal protection of species through legislation?

Answer: Species protection laws. Legal frameworks providing formal protection from exploitation and habitat loss.

Flashcard 44: Identify one impact of pollution on endangered species.

Answer: Contaminated habitats. Toxic substances poison species directly or accumulate in food chains.

Flashcard 45: What role do zoos play in conservation of endangered species?

Answer: Breeding programs and education. Ex situ conservation maintaining genetic diversity for potential reintroduction.

Flashcard 46: What does the term 'biodiversity' encompass?

Answer: Variety of life on Earth. Includes species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Flashcard 47: What does the term 'biodiversity' encompass?

Answer: Variety of life on Earth. Includes species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Flashcard 48: What role do NGOs play in species conservation?

Answer: Advocacy, research, and funding. Non-governmental organizations mobilize resources and expertise for conservation.

Flashcard 49: What is 'in situ' conservation?

Answer: Conservation within natural habitats. Protected areas and reserves preserving species within their natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 50: Which factor is most likely to contribute to a species' recovery?

Answer: Habitat restoration. Provides suitable habitat necessary for species survival and reproduction.

Flashcard 51: What is one criterion for a species to be classified as 'endangered'?

Answer: Population decline of 50% over 10 years. IUCN criteria based on population trends and habitat loss rates.

Flashcard 52: Which factor is most likely to contribute to a species' recovery?

Answer: Habitat restoration. Provides suitable habitat necessary for species survival and reproduction.

Flashcard 53: What is the primary legislation for protecting endangered species in the USA?

Answer: Endangered Species Act of 1973. Federal law providing legal protection for threatened and endangered species.

Flashcard 54: What is 'biodiversity hotspot' in conservation terms?

Answer: Area with high endemic species and significant threats. Priority regions for conservation due to exceptional species richness.

Flashcard 55: Which human activity is a significant threat to marine species?

Answer: Overfishing. Depletes fish populations faster than they can naturally reproduce.

Flashcard 56: Identify one major challenge in enforcing international wildlife trade laws.

Answer: Lack of resources and coordination. Limited enforcement capacity across international borders and jurisdictions.

Flashcard 57: Name one international agreement aimed at protecting biodiversity.

Answer: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Global treaty promoting conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.

Flashcard 58: What is one impact of climate change on endangered species?

Answer: Loss of habitat. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns destroy suitable habitats.

Flashcard 59: Identify one effect of invasive species on endangered species.

Answer: Competition for resources. Invasive species outcompete natives for food, space, and other resources.

Flashcard 60: What does 'extinct in the wild' mean?

Answer: Species survives only in captivity. No wild populations exist; species maintained only in zoos or breeding facilities.

Flashcard 61: What does the acronym CITES stand for?

Answer: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. International treaty regulating trade in wildlife and wildlife products.

Flashcard 62: Which organization maintains the Red List of Threatened Species?

Answer: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Global authority that assesses species' conservation status worldwide.

Flashcard 63: What is genetic diversity and why is it important?

Answer: Variation within species; crucial for adaptation. Low genetic diversity reduces species' ability to survive environmental changes.

Flashcard 64: What does 'extinct in the wild' mean?

Answer: Species survives only in captivity. No wild populations exist; species maintained only in zoos or breeding facilities.

Flashcard 65: What is 'ex situ' conservation?

Answer: Conservation outside natural habitats. Zoos, aquariums, and seed banks maintaining species outside natural environments.

Flashcard 66: What percentage of species are currently threatened with extinction?

Answer: Approximately 28%. Global assessment showing accelerating biodiversity loss across all ecosystems.

Flashcard 67: Which conservation status indicates the highest risk of extinction?

Answer: Critically Endangered. IUCN's highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

Flashcard 68: Identify the main purpose of captive breeding programs.

Answer: Increase population of endangered species. Controlled breeding to maintain genetic diversity and boost wild populations.

Flashcard 69: Name one method used to protect endangered species' habitats.

Answer: Creating protected areas. Provides secure habitat free from human disturbance and exploitation.

Flashcard 70: What is 'biodiversity hotspot' in conservation terms?

Answer: Area with high endemic species and significant threats. Priority regions for conservation due to exceptional species richness.

Flashcard 71: What is meant by 'species recovery plan'?

Answer: Plan to restore species to sustainable levels. Detailed strategy outlining specific actions needed for population recovery.

Flashcard 72: What is one impact of climate change on endangered species?

Answer: Loss of habitat. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns destroy suitable habitats.

Flashcard 73: What is one consequence of habitat fragmentation?

Answer: Isolated populations. Prevents gene flow and increases extinction risk for small populations.

Flashcard 74: Identify one major challenge in enforcing international wildlife trade laws.

Answer: Lack of resources and coordination. Limited enforcement capacity across international borders and jurisdictions.

Flashcard 75: What is a flagship species in conservation?

Answer: Species that represents an environmental cause. Charismatic species that generates public support for conservation efforts.

Flashcard 76: Identify one key factor leading to species endangerment.

Answer: Habitat destruction. Primary cause of species loss, accounting for over 80% of threats globally.